COVID-19: JN.1 Variant Symptoms

• The JN.1 COVID-19 variant is a descendant of BA.2.86 and the Omicron lineage.
• JN.1 COVID-19 variant symptoms are quite similar to the symptoms of BA.2.86 and Omicron, and there is a low risk of developing severe illness.
• The JN.1 COVID-19 variant is highly transmissible and can partially evade the immunity built up by vaccination and earlier infections with other coronavirus strains.

JN.1 COVID-19 symptoms are quite similar to the symptoms of other strains of the coronavirus descending from Omicron. JN.1 is, however, more transmissible than other variants, making it currently the dominant variant of the coronavirus worldwide. This article will guide you through all there’s to know about the JN.1 variant, from its characteristics and severity to the diagnosis and possible treatment. 

The COVID-19 variant JN.1 is a mutated coronavirus descending from the Omicron lineage. It’s the direct descendant of BA.2.86, also called Pirola. Pirola had many mutations when compared to the original Omicron strain and was discovered in the summer of 2023. Because of these many mutations, the virus could transmit more efficiently and evade the immunity built up against other coronaviruses. JN.1 was first discovered a few months later, in the fall of 2023. Scientists discovered that this JN.1 COVID-19 variant had an additional 1 or 2 mutations, allowing the virus to transmit even more efficiently and to still evade the immune response like its parent BA.2.86. 1 2

The JN.1 COVID-19 variant quickly became the dominant variant in the United States in the beginning of 2024, being the cause of an estimated 62% of all infections with the coronavirus. As of May 2024, the JN.1 variant is responsible for the majority of all infections with the coronavirus worldwide, although the general number of infections is decreasing. 1 2

The COVID-19 variant JN.1 is currently classified as a variant of interest by the World Health Organisation (WHO), which means that it meets the following conditions: 2 3

• It has genetic changes that are expected or proven to impact virus characteristics, including but not limited to transmissibility, virulence, susceptibility to therapeutics, antibody evasion, and detectability.
• It’s identified to have a competitive edge over other currently circulating variants in at least 2 WHO regions. Its prevalence has increased significantly over time and shows apparent epidemiological impacts that indicate an emerging risk to global public health.

Overall, the WHO concluded that the JN.1variant has the following characteristics: 3

• A high level of risk for growth advantage, as JN.1 is responsible for the majority of all infections with the coronavirus globally. 
• A moderate level of risk for antibody escape, meaning that the mutations in the JN.1 variant enable it to partially evade the immunity built up by vaccination and previous infections with other coronavirus strains. 
• A low level of risk for severe disease compared to other variants. 

JN.1 COVID-19 variant symptoms are very similar to the symptoms of other variants of the coronavirus that descend from the Omicron lineage. The JN.1 variant is highly transmissible, which means it’s very likely to spread quickly from one person to another, which is why it may pose a threat to healthcare providers. Some of the most common JN.1 COVID-19 variant symptoms may include: 4 5

• Fever or chills
• A dry, non-productive cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headaches
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose

The symptoms of the JN.1 COVID-19 variant generally appear between 2 to 14 days after exposure to the virus and can be mild to severe in nature.

COVID-19 JN.1 symptoms can last anywhere from a few days to weeks. If your symptoms do seem to last longer, then it may be possible that you’re experiencing long COVID. This is a situation in which some of the symptoms of COVID-19 linger on after your recovery. If you think that you may be experiencing long-COVID, then it’s recommended to consult with your healthcare provider for treatment and follow-up.

Multiple tests can detect the COVID-19 virus, including the JN.1 variant. However, not all tests can differentiate between the variants. To accurately determine the variant of COVID-19, you must undergo a laboratory test that identifies the virus's genetic sequence. This is usually a PCR or sequencing test and requires a sample of respiratory material from a nasal or throat swab. The sample is sent to a laboratory, where technicians conduct the necessary tests to identify the virus’s genetic sequence and determine the specific variant of COVID-19 present. These variant differentiation tests are not routinely done. Instead, they only provide valuable information for public health officials to monitor the spread of different variants. 6

JN.1 COVID-19 symptoms can resemble the symptoms of flu or allergies. In case you are not sure what is causing your symptoms, it’s always recommended to get tested. This way, you can get the appropriate treatment and prevent the spread of the virus to others.  

The treatment for JN.1 COVID-19 cases is quite similar to the treatment of other variants of COVID-19. If you are at a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, then you may be eligible for antiviral treatment. This treatment can help decrease the possibility of hospitalization or death, as antiviral medication will help lower the amount of virus in your body while your immune system is fighting off the infection. It’s important that this medication is taken as soon as possible, so it’s essential to contact your doctor immediately if you are at high risk and start noticing symptoms. Your risk profile is determined by: 7

• Your vaccination status
• Age
• Whether you’re being treated with chemotherapy or immunosuppressive therapy
• Your underlying health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, immune deficiencies and chronic conditions of the lungs such as COPD and asthma
• Smoking
• High blood pressure
• Obesity
• Pregnancy 

Most people aren’t at risk for severe illness and only need home remedies for COVID-19. These home remedies focus on relieving the symptoms of JN.1 COVID-19 while your immune system is fighting off the infection.  

You can treat your JN.1 COVID-19 variant symptoms with painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs such as: 8

• Paracetamol
• Ibuprofen
• Naproxen

If your COVID-19 infection is accompanied by fever, it’s best to treat it by: 9

• Resting as much as possible
• Drinking plenty of water
• Taking Paracetamol or Ibuprofen to help lower your temperature

You can try reducing your cough by: 9

• Sitting upright instead of lying on your back
• Contacting your healthcare provider about possible cough medication or treatment

For most people, these home remedies for COVID-19 will help you find relief while your immune system is overcoming the infection. It’s, however, essential to monitor your symptoms and to contact your doctor if:

• You’re gradually feeling worse
• You have difficulty breathing when standing upright
• You feel very weak, and basic tasks feel too difficult
• You’re shaking or shivering
• You still feel unwell after a month

JN.1 COVID-19 variant symptoms are very similar to the symptoms of its parent lineages BA.2.86 and Omicron. Overall, JN.1 isn’t very likely to cause severe illness, but it’s highly transmissible and has certain mutations that allow it to evade our immune response. If you think that you may have COVID-19 JN.1 symptoms, then you should get tested and take preventative measures to avoid the spread of the virus to others.

Q: How long does the JN.1 COVID-19 variant last? 
A: The symptoms of the JN.1 COVID-19 variant can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. If your symptoms persist after your recovery, then you may have long COVID.

Q: What is the incubation period for the JN.1 COVID-19 variant? 
A: The incubation period for the JN.1 COVID-19 variant is between 2 to 14 days. This is the amount of time between exposure to the virus and the development of COVID-19 JN.1 variant symptoms. 

Q: What are JN.1 COVID-19 symptoms? 
A: COVID-19 JN.1 symptoms are quite similar to the symptoms of other strains of Omicron. JN.1 symptoms mainly include headache, cough, sore throat, runny or congested nose, fatigue, muscle aches, and fever.

Q: How severe is the JN-1 COVID-19 variant? 
A: The JN.1 COVID-19 variant is being monitored by the World Health Organisation, and it has been concluded that there’s a low risk of severe illness due to this variant. People who pertain to risk groups should still be cautious and take preventative measures. 

Q: Does a COVID-19 test detect JN.1? 
A: A COVID-19 test can detect the JN.1 variant, as the parts of the virus that can be detected by the test have remained the same.