Five years post the onset of the COVID pandemic, new strains of the virus have emerged, exhibiting distinct symptoms. The prevalent variants currently circulating are ‘Stratus’ and ‘Nimbus’. ‘Stratus’, comprising XFG and XFG.3 variants, has caused a 60% rise in Covid hospitalizations, as per the NHS.
Amid escalating global cases, a woman shared her recent Covid experience, describing it as her most severe encounter despite having contracted the virus multiple times before. In a TikTok video, Nev (@nivismad) from the US recounted feeling unwell on August 30 with congestion and a blocked nose, followed by a scratchy throat and escalated pain in her teeth, jaw, and head.
Nev’s video triggered responses from others reporting similar Covid symptoms, including tooth pain, body aches, and headaches. The primary symptom associated with the Stratus strain is a sudden onset of hoarse voice.
George Sandhu, deputy superintendent pharmacist at Well Pharmacy, noted that a hoarse voice is a distinctive symptom preceding a positive Covid test. Additionally, the Nimbus strain has been linked to severe sore throats resembling swallowing razor blades.
UK Health Security Agency officials warned about the ongoing severity of Covid-related illnesses and fatalities, emphasizing the importance of monitoring for infection warning signs. Vaccination remains crucial in defending against severe Covid outcomes.
Symptoms of the latest variants include cold-like symptoms, fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, body aches, headaches, sore throat, nasal congestion, loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhea, and altered taste or smell. The media has dubbed the hoarse voice and intense sore throat associated with the new variants as ‘razor-blade throat’.
Recent statistics from September 29 to October 5 reveal the dominance of the XFG (Stratus) variant in England, with the Nimbus variant also prevalent in preceding weeks. The NHS has listed 12 symptoms to watch out for.