Five years post the onset of the COVID pandemic, new strains of the virus have emerged, displaying unique symptoms. The prevailing variants, ‘Stratus’ and ‘Nimbus,’ are currently predominant. The ‘Stratus’ variant, comprising XFG and XFG.3 subtypes, is linked to a 60% rise in Covid-related hospitalizations, as per the NHS.
Amidst a global surge in cases, a woman shared her recent Covid symptoms, describing her latest infection as the most severe encounter yet, despite having contracted the virus multiple times before.
In a TikTok video, Nev (@nivismad) from the US disclosed her initial symptoms starting from August 30, experiencing mild congestion and nasal blockage. Subsequently, she felt a scratchy throat followed by worsening tooth and jaw pain, coupled with severe headaches.
Nev’s video prompted responses from others reporting similar symptoms, including tooth pain, body aches, and headaches, indicating a shared experience with the latest Covid strain.
The primary symptom associated with the new Stratus strain is a sudden onset of hoarseness in the voice. George Sandhu, deputy superintendent pharmacist at Well Pharmacy, noted that a hoarse voice is a distinguishing symptom observed before testing positive for the latest Covid variant.
On the other hand, the Nimbus strain has been causing intense sore throats, with individuals likening the sensation to swallowing razor blades, as per Sandhu.
UK Health Security Agency officials cautioned about the persistent severity of Covid infections, emphasizing the importance of monitoring warning signs of infection. The agency stressed the evolving nature of Covid symptoms, now manifesting as cold-like symptoms along with fever, cough, shortness of breath, and other indicators.
Recent statistics from September 29 to October 5 reveal the dominance of the XFG variant (Stratus) in England, while the Nimbus variant (NB.1.8.1) had been circulating extensively in prior weeks.
The NHS identifies 12 symptoms to watch for, emphasizing the need to remain vigilant in detecting potential Covid infections.