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USA Today
2 days ago
- Health
- USA Today
'Razor blade throat': What to know about COVID-19 variant NB.1.8.1
'Razor blade throat': What to know about COVID-19 variant NB.1.8.1 Show Caption Hide Caption COVID variant brings 'razor blade throat' to California A new COVID variant is causing people to experience such severe sore throats that they say it feels like swallowing razor blades. Scripps News - KGTV San Diego A painful sore throat, often referred to as "razor blade throat", is just one of the symptoms of a new COVID-19 variant. This variant is currently being monitored by the World Health Organization. "Considering the available evidence, the additional public health risk posed by NB.1.8.1 is evaluated as low at the global level," the WHO stated in a report. "Currently approved COVID-19 vaccines are expected to remain effective to this variant against symptomatic and severe disease." In May, the WHO released a report stating it was monitoring the variant, but the variant is spreading quickly, according to the university. The new COVID-19 variant was first detected in China in January. What is NB.1.8.1? NB.1.8.1 is one of the latest variants of COVID-19, a "slightly upgraded version" of the LP.8.1 variant that is prominent right now, said Subhash Verma, microbiology and immunology professor at the University of Nevada, Reno. Verma previously said NB.1.8.1 may be able to be transferred more easily than LP.8.1. Additionally, he said that NB.1.8.1 is able to evade antibodies created by vaccines or past infections more easily than LP.8.1. "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," Verma said. USA TODAY has reached out to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more information on the variant. What is 'razor blade throat?' An extremely sore throat, or "razor blade throat", is a symptom that's currently being associated with the new variant. People with the variant are saying that it feels their throats are covered with razor blades, according to Los Angeles Times, Fox News, SF Gate, and other news outlets. Many people have also taken to social media to describe the "razor blade throat". It isn't the first time a symptom like this has been described. With other strains, people said their throats felt like they had shards of glass jutting out, due to the extreme pain of their sore throats. This symptom, however, is gaining more popularity as the COVID-19 variant spreads. What are the symptoms of NB.1.8.1? The CDC has not outlined symptoms that are specific to the NB.1.8.1. variant. Verma said that NB.1.8.1 symptoms appear similar to those of earlier COVID-19 variants. The CDC outlines the following as common COVID-19 symptoms: Fever or chills Cough Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing Sore throat Congestion or a runny nose New loss of taste or smell Fatigue Muscle or body aches Headache Nausea or vomiting The CDC advises seeking medical care if you experience any of the following symptoms: Trouble breathing Persistent pain or pressure in the chest New confusion Inability to wake or stay awake Depending on skin tone, lips, nail beds and skin may appear pale, gray or blue How can you protect yourself from NB.1.8.1 and other variants? The World Health Organization states that currently approved COVID-19 vaccines are expected to remain effective against the NB.1.8.1 variant. In a webpage dated Jan. 7, 2025, the CDC advises that everyone over the age of six months get the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine, specifically the 2024-2025 Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine. It also suggests people who have never received a COVID-19 vaccine, are age 65 and older, are immunocompromised, live at a long-term care facility, are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant, and/or want to avoid getting long COVID, should get the vaccine, especially. However, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently recommended changes to COVID vaccinations. On May 27, Kennedy said the COVID-19 vaccine would no longer be included in the CDC's recommended immunization schedule for healthy children and pregnant women. And on May 20, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said it plans to require new clinical trials for approval of the annual COVID-19 boosters for healthy individuals under the age of 65. This could mean that some who still wish to receive the vaccine may have to pay out of pocket. What is a COVID-19 booster shot? Updated and annual COVID-19 vaccines are actually not "booster shots." Boosters are additional doses of the same vaccine that are needed to maintain immunity, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Updated vaccines protect against new variants of a virus, like NB.1.8.1. RFK Jr. says COVID-19 vaccine no longer recommended for some The COVID-19 vaccine is no longer recommended for healthy children and pregnant women, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says. How to (still) get a COVID-19 test for free Increasing Community Access to Testing, Treatment and Response (ICATT), a federal program, continues to provide free COVID-19 testing to individuals without health insurance. According to the CDC, as of May 27, more than 19,000 locations across the country offer free testing. To find a location near you that offers free testing, visit Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@ Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. Connect with her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
'Razor blade throat': What to know about COVID-19 variant NB.1.8.1
A painful sore throat, often referred to as "razor blade throat", is just one of the symptoms of a new COVID-19 variant. This variant is currently being monitored by the World Health Organization. "Considering the available evidence, the additional public health risk posed by NB.1.8.1 is evaluated as low at the global level," the WHO stated in a report. "Currently approved COVID-19 vaccines are expected to remain effective to this variant against symptomatic and severe disease." In May, the WHO released a report stating it was monitoring the variant, but the variant is spreading quickly, according to the university. The new COVID-19 variant was first detected in China in January. NB.1.8.1 is one of the latest variants of COVID-19, a "slightly upgraded version" of the LP.8.1 variant that is prominent right now, said Subhash Verma, microbiology and immunology professor at the University of Nevada, Reno. Verma previously said NB.1.8.1 may be able to be transferred more easily than LP.8.1. Additionally, he said that NB.1.8.1 is able to evade antibodies created by vaccines or past infections more easily than LP.8.1. "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," Verma said. USA TODAY has reached out to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more information on the variant. An extremely sore throat, or "razor blade throat", is a symptom that's currently being associated with the new variant. People with the variant are saying that it feels their throats are covered with razor blades, according to Los Angeles Times, Fox News, SF Gate, and other news outlets. Many people have also taken to social media to describe the "razor blade throat". It isn't the first time a symptom like this has been described. With other strains, people said their throats felt like they had shards of glass jutting out, due to the extreme pain of their sore throats. This symptom, however, is gaining more popularity as the COVID-19 variant spreads. The CDC has not outlined symptoms that are specific to the NB.1.8.1. variant. Verma said that NB.1.8.1 symptoms appear similar to those of earlier COVID-19 variants. The CDC outlines the following as common COVID-19 symptoms: Fever or chills Cough Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing Sore throat Congestion or a runny nose New loss of taste or smell Fatigue Muscle or body aches Headache Nausea or vomiting The CDC advises seeking medical care if you experience any of the following symptoms: Trouble breathing Persistent pain or pressure in the chest New confusion Inability to wake or stay awake Depending on skin tone, lips, nail beds and skin may appear pale, gray or blue The World Health Organization states that currently approved COVID-19 vaccines are expected to remain effective against the NB.1.8.1 variant. In a webpage dated Jan. 7, 2025, the CDC advises that everyone over the age of six months get the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine, specifically the 2024-2025 Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine. It also suggests people who have never received a COVID-19 vaccine, are age 65 and older, are immunocompromised, live at a long-term care facility, are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant, and/or want to avoid getting long COVID, should get the vaccine, especially. However, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently recommended changes to COVID vaccinations. On May 27, Kennedy said the COVID-19 vaccine would no longer be included in the CDC's recommended immunization schedule for healthy children and pregnant women. And on May 20, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said it plans to require new clinical trials for approval of the annual COVID-19 boosters for healthy individuals under the age of 65. This could mean that some who still wish to receive the vaccine may have to pay out of pocket. Updated and annual COVID-19 vaccines are actually not "booster shots." Boosters are additional doses of the same vaccine that are needed to maintain immunity, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Updated vaccines protect against new variants of a virus, like NB.1.8.1. Increasing Community Access to Testing, Treatment and Response (ICATT), a federal program, continues to provide free COVID-19 testing to individuals without health insurance. According to the CDC, as of May 27, more than 19,000 locations across the country offer free testing. To find a location near you that offers free testing, visit Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@ Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. Connect with her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What is 'razor blade throat'? What to know about new COVID-19 variant
CBS News
13-06-2025
- Health
- CBS News
New COVID variant NB.1.8.1 could be more than 1 in 3 cases, CDC projects
What to know about changes in CDC guidance for COVID-19 vaccine The new COVID-19 variant NB.1.8.1, which was linked to a large surge of hospitalizations in parts of Asia, could now make up more than 1 in 3 cases across the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention projected this week. Last month, the CDC's airport surveillance program had detected cases of the variant in arriving international travelers from several countries. The agency now says that nearly half of the COVID infections detected in that program the last week of May were the NB.1.8.1 variant. The CDC cautioned that "precision in the most recent reporting period is low" for their estimates, meaning the projections carry a wide margin of error. Still, the estimated increase in prevalence in the U.S. highlights the variant's high transmissibility — something experts had warned about as soon as it began spreading in this country. "Data indicates that NB.1.8.1 does not lead to more severe illness compared to previous variants, although it appears to have a growth advantage, suggesting it may spread more easily. In other words, it is more transmissible," Subhash Verma, a professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, previously told CBS News. Symptoms of the variant are broadly similar to those seen in earlier strains, Verma noted. Typical symptoms include respiratory issues such as cough and sore throat, as well as systemic issues like fever and fatigue. As health officials continue monitoring the virus, the Trump administration has recently made moves to change access to vaccines for some Americans. In May, the Food and Drug Administration said it will continue approving COVID-19 vaccine updates for seniors and those with an underlying medical condition, including pregnancy or diabetes, but will require vaccine makers to conduct major new clinical trials before approving them for wider use. The decision means many people without underlying conditions may not have access to updated shots this fall. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. also said last month that he would remove the CDC's recommendation for children and healthy pregnant women to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Later that week, however, the CDC said that kids with no underlying health conditions "may receive" COVID-19 vaccines. "Where the parent presents with a desire for their child to be vaccinated, children 6 months and older may receive COVID-19 vaccination, informed by the clinical judgment of a healthcare provider and personal preference and circumstances," the CDC says in its new guidance. contributed to this report.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
A new COVID-19 variant, vaccine changes: What to know in 2025
Like it or not, COVID-19 is still a public health issue five years after the start of the pandemic flipped the nation, and the world, on its head. Changing vaccination guidelines, ever-evolving variants and strains, threats to health insurance and more mean COVID is still very much a regular conversation on the lips of lawmakers, regulators and the general public. More than 40,000 positive tests were reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in May, and while hospitalizations and deaths are fortunately down significantly since the pandemic's peak, vulnerable people are still grappling with limiting their risk amid changing practices. Here is a brief recap of the status of COVID cases, variants and vaccines in the U.S. as of June 4, 2025. According to the most recent data on the CDC's COVID Data Tracker dashboard, there were 735 confirmed COVID-19 deaths in May 2025 as of May 24. In the four weeks leading up to May 24, 3% of 1,344,681 COVID tests administered nationwide were positive. In January, a new COVID-19 variant known as NB.1.8.1 was first detected in China. As of mid-May, the variant had reached 10.7% of global reported COVID-19 cases, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). As of May 27, less than 20 cases of NB.1.8.1 had been reported in the U.S., a CDC spokesperson told USA TODAY. This figure is too low to be added to the CDC's COVID Data Tracker dashboard, the spokesperson added, though they did not clarify the threshold for adding new variants to the dashboard. New COVID variant in China: Here's what to know about NB.1.8.1 NB.1.8.1 is one of the latest variants of COVID-19, a "slightly upgraded version" of the LP.8.1 variant that is prominent right now, Subhash Verma, microbiology and immunology professor at the University of Nevada, Reno, previously told USA TODAY. For comparison, LP.8.1 made up 70% of reported COVID-19 cases in the U.S. between April 26 and May 10, as reported by the CDC. Verma said NB.1.8.1 may be able to be transferred more easily than LP.8.1. Additionally, he said that NB.1.8.1 is able to evade antibodies created by vaccines or past infections more easily than LP.8.1. The variant has similar symptoms to other strains, including fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, sore throat, congestion or a runny nose, new loss of taste or smell, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, nausea or vomiting. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said on May 27 that the COVID-19 vaccine would no longer be included in the CDC's recommended immunization schedule for healthy children and pregnant women, a move that broke with previous expert guidance and bypassed the normal scientific review process. Under the changes, the only people who will be recommended for COVID-19 vaccines are those over 65 and people with existing health problems. This could make it harder for others who want the COVID-19 vaccine to get it, including health care workers and healthy people under 65 with a vulnerable family member or those who want to reduce their short-term risk of infection. RFK changes vaccine recommendations: Want a COVID vaccine? It could cost you $200. Insurance coverage typically follows federal recommendations, so anyone who is healthy and under 65 is likely to have to pay out of pocket to get the shot, which runs about $200, if they can get it. It's not clear what insurance companies will do about the new recommendations. RFK Jr. is a vaccine skeptic known for making false claims about vaccination and other medical practices. Under his leadership and the Trump administration, the FDA canceled the advisory meeting of independent experts who usually gather to formulate new flu shots annually and nixed a contract with Moderna to develop a bird flu vaccine amid the spread. He also pushed false claims about MMR vaccines as measles, previously eradicated in the U.S., began erupting in states across the country, causing the first death in a decade. It is not yet known how accessible the COVID-19 vaccine will be moving forward. Contributing: Karen Weintraub, Sudiksha Kochi, USA TODAY; Reuters This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What to know about COVID-19 in 2025: Variants, vaccines, cases
Daily Mail
03-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Urgent warning over new Covid-19 variant that 'experts fear is more infectious' with case numbers growing in Britain
An urgent warning has been issued over a new Covid-19 variant that experts suggest could be more infectious than previous strains, with case numbers on the rise in Britain. The NB.1.8.1 variant has been found in 22 countries, including the UK, since it emerged in January, with cases recorded in Wales over the last few months, Wales Online reports. It has also been tracked in popular British tourist hotspots, including Thailand, the Maldives and Egypt, with soaring cases also seen in Ireland, the US, Australia and parts of Europe. Indeed, a whopping 257,280 Covid-19 cases have been recorded in Thailand this year, including 52 deaths, prompting an official warning from health authorities about the new variant. And some experts 'fear the strain is more infectious' than its predecessors, leading to rapidly rising numbers. Subhash Verma, professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, told CBS News: 'Data indicates that NB.1.8.1 does not lead to more severe illness compared to previous variants, although it appears to have a growth advantage, suggesting it may spread more easily. 'In other words, it is more transmissible.' The World Health Organisation (WHO) claimed that, using the evidence available, NB.1.8.1's threat to the public health was 'low at the global level'. The body added: 'Currently approved Covid-19 vaccines are expected to remain effective to this variant against symptomatic and severe disease.' But it still issued an official warning about the strain, part of the Omicron variant, branding it a 'variant under monitoring' thanks to key mutatations and its global spread. It said: 'Despite a concurrent increase in cases and hospitalisations 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.' There are not currently any travel restrictions associated with the variant and the WHO does not recommend any such measures. Of the 22 countries where it had been recorded by late April, the variant constitutes around 10.7 per cent of all submitted strains, flying up from just 2.5 per cent four weeks before. The WHO particularly emphasised its prevalence in Europe, the Western Pacific region - which includes Asia and Australia - and North and South America. Professor Laura Herrero of Griffith University, Australia explained that the strain had become the dominant variant in China and Hong Kong by the end of April. She said: '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. 'The WHO has not yet observed any evidence it causes more severe disease compared to other variants. 'Reports suggest symptoms of NB.1.8.1 should align closely with other Omicron subvariants.' As always, NHS guidance says that if you are experiencing Covid symptoms, you can protect yourself and others by staying at home and avoiding contact with other people for five days after a positive test, and three days if you or you child are under 18.
