13-07-2025
Unique symptom of new Covid strain after 'razor blades' feeling
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A new variant of Covid, known as XFG or Stratus, is rapidly becoming the dominant strain in the UK, with experts warning it has the ability to evade immunity. It is also being monitored by Ireland's Health Protection Surveillance Centre due to its growing presence recently, reports Cork BEO.
The strain reportedly presents a unique symptom. Just last month, doctors were reporting that a variant named Nimbus was spreading swiftly, causing severe sore throats that feel like razor blades, along with other typical Covid symptoms. However, Stratus has now surpassed Nimbus and brings with it its own distinctive symptom.
The number of Stratus cases has surged within a single month due to its capacity to infect individuals who have previously contracted Covid or received vaccinations. According to official data, Stratus has now become the prevalent Covid strain in England.
In May, Stratus accounted for 10 per cent of cases, but by mid-June, this figure had risen to 40 per cent. There are two variants of Stratus currently circulating - XFG and XFG.3, reports the Mirror.
Dr Kaywaan Khan, a Harley Street GP and Founder of Hannah London Clinic, told Cosmopolitan UK: "Unlike other variants, Stratus has certain mutations in the spike protein which could help it evade antibodies developed from prior infections or vaccinations."
Dr Khan stated that Stratus does not seem to make people 'more ill' than previous strains. However, he did note one unique symptom, stating: " One of the most noticeable symptoms of the Stratus variant is hoarseness, which includes a scratchy or raspy voice."
In general, Dr Khan said, the symptoms of Stratus tend to be 'mild to moderate'. Dr Khan said: " If you test positive, Stratus is highly contagious, and it is advised to stay home and isolate to avoid spreading to others."
Professor Lawrence Young, a virologist at Warwick University, told MailOnline: " The increased competitiveness of XFG and XFG.3 is likely due to new spike mutations which make these variants more able to evade the immune response.
"Given that immunity to Covid is waning in the population due to a decline in uptake of the spring booster jab and the reduction of Covid infections in recent months, more people will be susceptible to infection with XFG and XFG.3.
"This could lead to a new wave of infection but it's difficult to predict the extent of this wave." The World Health Organisation has classified Stratis as a 'variant under monitoring', indicating it is closely tracking the strain's transmission. It represents 22 per cent of all cases globally.
The emergence of Stratus comes swiftly after another variant - Nimbus - which was documented to cause severe throat pain in sufferers. That strain now comprises 17 per cent of all confirmed cases across the UK.
Dr Michael Gregory, regional medical Director for NHS England said: "The variant looks to be spreading rapidly within communities, with top symptoms being a 'razor blade' sore throat and swollen neck glands."
