Latest news with #1.8.1
Newsweek
4 days ago
- Health
- Newsweek
'Razor Throat': Nimbus COVID Symptoms To Watch For As New Variant Rises
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A new COVID-19 variant spreading across the United States may cause an extremely painful sore throat—dubbed the "razor throat"—among its symptoms. The new "Nimbus" strain, also known as COVID-19 NB 1.8.1, was first detected in China in January, and was classified as a variant "under monitoring" by the World Health Organization (WHO) in May. NB 1.8.1 has been reported in a number of US states—including California and New York—with reports of the variant increasing globally. NB 1.8.1 made up a whopping 37 percent of all reported COVID-19 diagnoses between May 25 and June 7, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This is a significant increase since late May, when a CDC spokesperson told Newsweek that there had so far been "fewer than 20 sequences of NB.1.8.1 in the U.S. baseline surveillance data to date, so it has not met the threshold for inclusion in the COVID Data Tracker dashboard." Stock image of a man holding his painful throat, and inset, illustration of a COVID-19 mutation. Stock image of a man holding his painful throat, and inset, illustration of a COVID-19 mutation. Liubomyr Vorona / Images Omicron LP.8.1 remains the most commonly reported Covid variant at present, but its share of 38 percent of all cases places NB 1.8.1 at a close second. For comparison's sake, the CDC listed LP.8.1 as making up 70 percent of reported cases between April 26 and May 10, mere weeks ago. Reports from Chinese media via the LA Times indicate that symptoms of "razor throat" and coughing appear more prevalent with the new strain that is predecessors. According to the CDC but the following symptoms are common with COVID-19 in general: Fever or chills Cough Shortness of breath Sore throat Congestion, runny nose New loss of taste or smell Fatigue Muscle or body aches Headache Nausea or vomiting Diarrhea Read more COVID-19 NB 18.1 variant: Symptoms to watch for as virus surges COVID-19 NB 18.1 variant: Symptoms to watch for as virus surges Infectious disease expert and CEO of Wellness and Equity Alliance, Dr. Tyler B Evans, previously told Newsweek that there was "no clear evidence that this subvariant presents dramatically different symptoms from other recent strains. "We're still seeing common indicators like sore throat, nasal congestion, fatigue, and cough," he said. "In some cases, especially among unvaccinated or immunocompromised individuals, symptoms can escalate to more severe respiratory distress." Newsweek has contacted the CDC for comment. Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about medicine? Let us know via science@
Wales Online
4 days ago
- Health
- Wales Online
The 11 symptoms that indicate Covid not hay fever as 'Nimbus' variant hits UK
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Symptoms can differentiate a Covid infection from hay fever, despite some signs of these conditions overlapping. There are distinct ways to tell them apart. This year has seen millions across Britain grappling with the annoyance of hay fever symptoms as the Met Office reports "very high" pollen counts in certain areas. Hay fever is triggered by an allergic reaction to airborne allergens like pollen, often leading to sneezing, a blocked nose, headaches, and even loss of smell which overlap with COVID-19 indicators. Dr Luke Powles, an associate clinical director at Bupa, stated: "Despite Hay fever being more common during the spring and summer, some people are affected by pollen from March to September. This can make it harder to tell if sniffs and sneezes are being caused by an allergy or an infection such as coronavirus." A concern for many is the spread of a new Covid variant known as NB. 1.8.1 (or Nimbus) throughout the UK. As per data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), hospital admissions for Covid have jumped by nearly 10 percent with 947 patients admitted in the week ending May 31, reports Surrey Live. However, there are ways to distinguish hay fever from Covid. The main sign to look for is a high temperature, which occurs when someone has coronavirus but not hay fever. The NHS says this means "you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)". It can also cause shivering. Dr Powles noted that a temperature is "not likely" to occur with hay fever. He explained: "Although a blocked nose due to hay fever can affect your sense of smell or taste, completely losing your ability to taste or smell is more likely to result from coronavirus." Furthermore, Covid tends to make the affected person feel more unwell in general. "Hay fever symptoms aren't usually serious and, generally, you won't feel too ill," he added. In contrast, Covid can be severe in some cases, with symptoms lasting weeks, months, or even years in the case of long Covid. According to the NHS, "The symptoms [of Covid] are very similar to symptoms of other illnesses, such as colds and flu. "Most people feel better within a few weeks, but it can take longer to recover." Additionally, Covid can cause gastrointestinal symptoms, which are not typically associated with hay fever. These symptoms include feeling or being sick and experiencing diarrhoea. If you suspect you have Covid, it is recommended to stay at home and avoid contact with others if you or your child have symptoms and either: Have a high temperature Do not feel well enough to go to work, school, childcare, or engage in normal activities The NHS advises that you can resume "normal activities" when you feel better or no longer have a high temperature. Common symptoms of hay fever include: Sneezing and coughing A runny or blocked nose Itchy, red or watery eyes Itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears Loss of smell Pain around the sides of your head and your forehead Headache Feeling tired Symptoms of Covid can include: A high temperature or shivering (chills) – a high temperature means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature) A new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours A loss or change to your sense of smell or taste Shortness of breath Feeling tired or exhausted An aching body A headache A sore throat A blocked or runny nose Loss of appetite Diarrhoea Feeling sick or being sick Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox Find out what's happening near you
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Doctor's signs you have Covid not hay fever as UK hit by NB.1.8.1
Due do some overlap in symptoms it could be difficult to know if you have hay fever or coronavirus Key symptoms can help tell apart a Covid infection from hay fever, despite some similarities in how they present. This year, millions of people in the UK have been tormented by the aggravating symptoms of hay fever, coinciding with "very high" pollen counts reported by the Met Office in certain regions. Hay fever is an allergic response to airborne substances, predominantly pollen, leading to sneezing, nasal congestion, headaches, and sometimes even loss of smell. These symptoms are also common to COVID-19. Doctor Luke Powles, associate clinical director at Bupa, explained: "Despite hay fever being more common during the spring and summer, some people are affected by pollen from March to September. This can make it harder to tell if sniffs and sneezes are being caused by an allergy or an infection such as coronavirus." The relevance of this distinction has grown with the emergence of a new Covid strain known as NB. 1.8.1 (or Nimbus), which is making its way through the UK. According to recent figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), there's been a near 10 per cent uptick in Covid-related hospital admissions, with 947 patients admitted in the week concluding on May 31. However, differentiating hay fever from Covid is possible. The principal indicator to watch for is a high temperature, indicative of coronavirus but not associated with hay fever. The NHS advises that this means "you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)". It may also lead to chills. Dr Powles has clarified that it is "not likely" for you to experience a raised temperature as a result of hay fever. He said: "Although a blocked nose due to hay fever can affect your smell or taste, completely losing your ability to taste or smell is more likely to result from coronavirus." Additionally, Covid tends to make people feel more unwell overall. "Hay fever symptoms aren't usually serious and, generally, you won't feel too ill," he added. In contrast, Covid can be severe in certain instances and its symptoms may persist for weeks, months, or even years in the case of long Covid. The NHS notes: "The symptoms [of Covid] are very similar to symptoms of other illnesses, such as colds and flu. "Most people feel better within a few weeks, but it can take longer to recover." Covid is also known to cause gastrointestinal issues, which are not associated with hay fever. These symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. If you suspect you have contracted Covid, the advice is to self-isolate and avoid contact with others if you or your child exhibit symptoms and either: Have a high temperature Do not feel well enough to go to work, school, childcare, or carry out your normal activities. According to the NHS, you can resume your "normal activities" once you feel better or no longer have a high temperature. Typical hay fever symptoms consist of: Sneezing and coughing A runny or blocked nose Itchy, red or watery eyes Itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears Loss of smell Pain around your temples and forehead Headache Fatigue Article continues below Symptoms of Covid can encompass: A high temperature or experiencing chills – this implies feeling hot to the touch on your chest or back (there's no need to take your temperature) A new, persistent cough – this refers to coughing excessively for over an hour, or having three or more bouts of coughing within 24 hours A loss or alteration in your sense of smell or taste Breathlessness Feeling fatigued or worn out Bodily aches A headache A sore throat A congested or runny nose Loss of appetite Diarrhoea Feeling nauseous or vomiting
Edinburgh Live
09-06-2025
- Health
- Edinburgh Live
New Covid variant alert with 'unusual' symptoms as doctors issue warning
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Health officials have issued a stark warning about a new strain of coronavirus, which comes with unusual symptoms, following a surge in cases. Irish residents are being urged to self-isolate for two days if they display any signs of Covid, as the new variant is also causing gastrointestinal problems. The variant, known as NB. 1.8.1, has already been identified in the UK, US and Australia. Experts have emphasised that while previous strains have been associated with flu-like symptoms, NB. 1.8.1 can cause gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and heartburn, reports the Mirror. Patients who experience bloating, constipation and abdominal pain could also find themselves diagnosed with Covid-19. The World Health Organization (WHO) has added the variant to its official watch list and suggested that it is more transmissible than other strains. However, there isn't any evidence to suggest that it causes more severe illnesses. According to WHO, the strain first appeared in January and by late April it was responsible for around 10.7% of global infections, up from just 2.5% a month earlier. The strain has seen a rapid rise in Ireland in recent weeks. According to data from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), the proportion of sequenced Covid samples linked to NB. 1.8.1 jumped from 3.7% to 27.3% in the last five weeks, reports Dublin Live. The new Covid variant NB. 1.8.1, already dominant in regions of Asia like China and Hong Kong, has been detected in holiday hotspots including Thailand, Egypt, and the Maldives. Dr Lara Herrero, Research Leader in Virology at Griffith University, highlighted the symptoms: "Common symptoms [of NB.1.8.1] include sore throat, fatigue, fever, mild cough, muscle aches and nasal congestion. Gastrointestinal symptoms may also occur in some cases." With unseasonal cold symptoms or stomach issues possibly indicating Covid, Irish health authorities advise those feeling ill to stay home until they're symptom-free for 48 hours and to steer clear of high-risk individuals. Current public health advice in Ireland stresses the importance of self-isolation if exhibiting any signs of Covid, with particular attention given to keeping away from vulnerable individuals until you've been clear of majority or all symptoms for two days. Covid symptoms to look out for
Edinburgh Live
04-06-2025
- Health
- Edinburgh Live
New variant of Covid discovered as doctors warn of unusual symptoms
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A new COVID strain sends a shiver across the UK as cases of the NB. 1.8.1 variant lead to unusual symptoms. Northern Ireland has confirmed at least seven individuals afflicted by this fresh coronavirus mutation, signalling a stark turn in the pandemic's path. "Common symptoms include sore throat, fatigue, fever, mild cough, muscle aches and nasal congestion. Gastrointestinal symptoms may also occur in some cases," reveals Dr Lara Herrero, a noted virologist and research leader from Griffith University. READ MORE - Kate Middleton's heartbreaking four-word admission about niece Lilibet READ MORE - Heartbroken Edinburgh grandad loses £250k in scam with fraudsters posing as RBS staff The less common gastrointestinal symptoms reported are abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and more severe digestion-related issues, with The Mirror shedding light on the exhaustive list of symptoms tied to NB. 1.8, reports the Mirror. With its swift escalation, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has now tagged NB. 1.8. 1 as a "variant under monitoring", intensifying concerns over its ability to slip past the immunity forged by vaccines or earlier infections. NB. 1.8.1's footing is already strong in Hong Kong and China, and cases have sprung up in the US, Australia, and even in favoured holiday spots like Egypt, Thailand, and the Maldives, as chronicled by the Daily Star. WHO data reveals a significant jump in the strain from 2.5% to 10.7% of submitted global sequences within four weeks, sparking international worry. A WHO spokesperson explained: "SARS-CoV-2 continues to evolve, and between January and May 2025, there were shifts in global SARS-CoV-2 variant dynamics. At the beginning of the year, the most prevalent variant tracked by WHO at the global level was XEC, followed by KP.3.1.1. "In February, circulation of XEC began to decline while that of LP.8.1 increased, with the latter becoming the most detected variant in mid-March. Since mid-April, the circulation of LP.8.1 has been slightly declining as NB.1.8.1 is increasingly being detected." Specialists note that NB. 1.8.1 has numerous mutations that "may infect cells more efficiently than earlier strains". "However, the WHO has not yet observed any evidence it causes more severe disease compared to other variants. Reports indicate symptoms of NB.1.8.1 are expected to be similar to those of other Omicron subvariants."
