Variants

Variants are changes or differences in the genetic makeup of an organism, such as a virus or individual. In viruses, variants are versions that have slight mutations in their genes, which can sometimes affect how easily they spread, cause illness, or evade immunity. Think of them as different "flavors" of the same virus, arising through natural changes in their genetic code. Variants are natural and occur regularly, but not all have significant impacts on health or treatment. Tracking variants helps scientists understand and respond to evolving threats more effectively.