Several years following the onset of the COVID pandemic, new strains of the virus have emerged, each presenting distinct symptoms.
At present, the prevalent variants are ‘Stratus’ and ‘Nimbus’. The ‘Stratus’ variant, composed of XFG and XFG.3, has reportedly caused a 60% increase in Covid-related hospitalizations, according to the NHS.
Amid a global surge in cases, a woman shared her recent Covid symptoms after testing positive for the virus. Despite previous encounters with Covid, she described this episode as the most severe.
In a TikTok video, Nev (@nivismad) recounted her experience, noting initial congestion and a blocked nostril. Subsequently, she developed a scratchy throat and experienced tooth, jaw, and head pain.
Nev’s video prompted responses from others reporting similar Covid symptoms, with individuals mentioning tooth pain, body aches, and headaches.
The primary symptom associated with the new Stratus strain is a sudden onset of hoarse voice.
George Sandhu, deputy superintendent pharmacist at Well Pharmacy, highlighted that a hoarse voice has been a notable precursor to testing positive for the latest Covid variant.
Conversely, the Nimbus strain has been linked to severe sore throats, likened to swallowing razor blades, as per Sandhu.
Health officials from the UK Health Security Agency cautioned that Covid continues to cause severe illness and fatalities, emphasizing the importance of monitoring for signs of infection.
They stressed the significance of Covid vaccines as the best defense against serious illness, noting the evolving symptoms reported over time, including cold-like symptoms, fever, cough, and others.
Recent statistics indicate that the XFG variant (Stratus) has become the dominant strain in England, with the Nimbus variant (NB.1.8. 1) also circulating widely in previous weeks.
The NHS highlights 12 symptoms to watch for during the ongoing pandemic.
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