A new Covid variant called Nimbus (NB.1.8.1) is spreading quickly in the UK and may cause a very painful symptom, doctors say.
Health officials report that hospital admissions related to Covid have risen by nearly 10%, with 947 patients admitted in the week ending May 31. Cases also increased by 6.9% in the week up to June 4.
Dr. Naveed Asif, a GP in London, described a key symptom of this variant as a sharp, stabbing sore throat, which feels like a “razor blade” when swallowing.
Common symptoms include severe sore throat, ongoing tiredness, mild cough, fever, muscle aches, and nasal congestion. Some people also experience stomach problems like nausea or diarrhea, which is less common with other Covid strains.
Experts say rest, fluids, and painkillers are the best ways to ease these symptoms.
The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that current vaccines still work against the Nimbus variant. Despite rising cases, the new strain does not seem to cause more serious illness than earlier versions.
UK health official Dr. Gayatri Amirthalingam said the variant is still rare in the UK but growing internationally. So far, there is no proof that it is more dangerous or that vaccines are less effective.
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