An unusual and alarming symptom has emerged with the spread of a new COVID-19 variant called Nimbus (NB.1.8.1), which is rapidly spreading worldwide after being first detected in China in January. This variant is causing an increase in cases in the U.S., particularly in California and New York, as reported by Forbes.
Patients infected with the Nimbus variant have reported an intense sore throat, often described as feeling like swallowing shards of glass or having their throats covered with razor blades. This has led to the nickname razor blade throat or knife throat COVID for this variant. According to the Mirror, this painful throat irritation is a distinguishing symptom of the Nimbus strain.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified the Nimbus variant as a variant under monitoring due to its accelerated spread and mutations. However, it considers the global public health risk to be low, as reported by Forbes. "So far, there is nothing to suggest that the disease associated with the Nimbus variant is more severe compared to other variants," stated the WHO.
Experts say the Nimbus variant is no more dangerous than previous mutations, and there should not be great cause for concern. "We're still seeing common indicators like sore throat, nasal congestion, fatigue, and cough," said Dr. Tyler B. Evans, infectious disease expert and CEO of Wellness and Equity Alliance, according to the Economic Times.
Despite its rapid spread, COVID-19 vaccines are expected to remain effective against symptomatic and severe disease caused by the Nimbus variant, although they are about half as effective at blocking it compared to some other strains, according to the Mirror.
The razor blade throat symptom associated with the Nimbus variant has been identified by doctors in the United Kingdom, India, and elsewhere. Many patients have taken to social media to describe their experiences with this severe sore throat, which can come on suddenly, even in individuals who have been previously infected, and can be an early sign of infection.
The Nimbus variant has recombined genetic material from other strains at least three times, which could increase its capacity for transmission or aggressiveness, and it has mutations that make it able to spread more easily, according to Forbes.
In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicated that the Nimbus strain has become the second most common SARS-CoV-2 variant, detected in around 37% of reported COVID-19 cases. Newsweek reported that Omicron LP.8.1 accounts for 38% of all cases, placing the Nimbus variant at a close second.
The WHO stated that some countries in the Western Pacific have reported increases in COVID cases and hospitalizations, but there is nothing to suggest that the disease associated with the Nimbus variant is more severe compared to other variants. As reported by El Financiero, the increase in cases at the end of last month is concentrated mainly in the regions of the Eastern Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, and the Western Pacific.
Patients commonly experience a severe sore throat, persistent fatigue, mild cough, fever, muscle aches, and nasal congestion, with some also experiencing digestive issues like nausea or diarrhea, which is not always typical with COVID variants, according to Newsweek.
"With the new variant, it appears that the sore throat is yet again a prominent symptom," said Dr. Kenneth Perry, an ER physician in South Carolina, according to Fox News Digital. He explained that the sore throat is caused by the direct infection of the cells of the throat, causing irritation, according to the Economic Times.
"NB.1.8.1 is likely to spread more rapidly and evade our immune defenses more easily than LP.8.1, which is why this variant requires careful monitoring," stated Subhash Verma, a microbiology and immunology professor at the University of Nevada, Reno, according to the Ocala Star-Banner.
Experts recommend treating the Nimbus variant in the same way as previous variants: with rest, fluids, and painkillers. If symptoms persist or worsen, or if someone is worried about themselves or someone else, they should seek medical attention. The CDC advises seeking medical care if severe symptoms occur.
Written with the help of a news-analysis system.