What to know about the COVID variant that may cause ‘razor blade' sore throats

Denmark's Jonas Vingegaard, left, and teammate Matteo Jorgenson, of the U.S., wear face masks to protect themselves from the coronavirus prior to the start of the fourteenth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 151.9 kilometres with start in Pau and finish in Saint-Lary-Soulan Pla d'Adet, France, July 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole, File)
The COVID-19 variant that may be driving a recent rise in cases in some parts of the world has earned a new nickname: 'razor blade throat' COVID.
That's because the variant — NB.1.8.1. or 'Nimbus' — may cause painful sore throats. The symptom has been identified by doctors in the United Kingdom, India and elsewhere, according to media outlets in those countries.
Other COVID-19 symptoms of any variant include fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath or loss of taste or smell.
Experts say there isn't major cause for concern with the Nimbus variant, but here 's what else you need to know about it.
Here's where the variant causing 'razor blade throat' is spreading
The rise in cases late last month is primarily in eastern Mediterranean, Southeast Asia and western Pacific regions, the World Health Organization said May 28. The new variant had reached nearly 11 per cent of sequenced samples reported globally in mid-May.
Airport screening in the United States detected the new variant in travelers arriving from those regions to destinations in California, Washington state, Virginia and New York.
You aren't likely to get sicker from this variant than others
Not so far, anyway.
The WHO said some western Pacific countries have reported increases in COVID cases and hospitalizations, but there's nothing so far to suggest that the disease associated with the new variant is more severe compared to other variants.
COVID-19 vaccines are effective against the Nimbus variant
Yes.
The WHO has designated Nimbus as a 'variant under monitoring' and considers the public health risk low at the global level. Current vaccines are expected to remain effective.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced last month that COVID-19 shots are no longer recommended for healthy children and pregnant women — a move immediately questioned by public health experts.
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Devi Shastri, The Associated Press
AP Health Writer Carla Johnson contributed to this story.
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

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The Province

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'Swallowing razor blades': What to know about the painful symptom linked to latest COVID strain

The new variant, nicknamed Nimbus, has been detected in 22 countries as of May 18 Like the name suggests, "razor blade throat" describes severe sore throat pain, as if the throat is "covered with razor blades." Photo by m-gucci / Getty Images A painful symptom that has been linked to the latest strain of COVID-19 is being called 'razor blade throat.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors The World Health Organization recently designated NB.1.8.1 as a variant under monitoring. The strain, nicknamed 'Nimbus,' has reportedly been causing extremely painful sort throats in those who have been infected with it. Cases of the Nimbus variant have been rising. It has been detected in 22 countries as of May 18 and made up 10.7 per cent of the global COVID samples taken in late April, WHO said. That was considered a 'significant rise in prevalence' since it only made up 2.5 per cent of global COVID samples four weeks prior. However, WHO deemed the overall risk of Nimbus to be low. 'Despite a concurrent increase in cases and hospitalizations in some countries where NB.1.8.1 is widespread, current data do not indicate that this variant leads to more severe illness than other variants in circulation,' according to WHO. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Here's what to know. What is 'razor blade throat'? Like the name suggests, 'razor blade throat' describes severe sore throat pain, as if the throat is 'covered with razor blades,' chair of the department of medicine and chief of infectious diseases at Mount Sinai South Nassau in New York Dr. Aaron Glatt told 'While not specific to COVID-19,' he said, 'this expression has been used to describe sore throat symptoms in some patients with the most recent COVID-19 variant.' 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This particular strain 'isn't too different from the Omicron variant, but it does have some tweaks to its spike protein,' according to general practitioner from private healthcare centre Pall Mall Medical in the United Kingdom Dr. Chun Tang, The Independent reported. That means it could 'spread a bit more easily or slip past some of our existing immunity.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'That said, early signs suggest it doesn't seem to cause more serious illness, but of course, we're still learning more about it,' said Tang. The earliest sample of Nimbus was taken in January, said WHO. How are Canadians being affected by the Nimbus strain? In Canada, the federal government has been keeping track of COVID variants detected nationwide. Nimbus was detected in Canada in March, but it only accounted for a very low percentage of COVID strains in the country, at just 0.2 per cent . 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CBC

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CTV News

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A moving company says cluttered, unsafe homes are leading to an increase in challenges

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