Latest news with #KennethPerry
News18
5 hours ago
- Health
- News18
New Covid Variant ‘Nimbus' Spreads In US, Causes Painful ‘Razor Blade Throat'. What Is It?
Last Updated: Known scientifically as NB.1.8.1, the variant is currently being monitored by the World Health Organization (WHO) and was first detected in China earlier this year. A newly emerging Covid-19 subvariant 'Nimbus' is gaining ground in the United States, causing a distinctive and extremely painful sore throat, commonly described by patients as 'razor blade throat." Known scientifically as NB.1.8.1, the variant is currently being monitored by the World Health Organization (WHO) and was first detected in China earlier this year. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Nimbus accounted for approximately 37% of US cases in the two-week period ending June 7. The variant could soon represent up to one-third of global Covid cases, health officials have warned. Nicknamed 'razor throat," the symptom of the Nimbus variant is an intensely painful sore throat, with some patients likening it to 'swallowing shards of glass." This symptom is notably more severe and more common than in previous variants as Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News' senior medical analyst, said, 'Many of the Covid subvariants have characteristic features. Nimbus is being associated with an unusually sharp sore throat." Other symptoms reported include: nasal congestion or runny nose, fatigue, mild cough, fever, muscle or body aches and nausea or diarrhea. Despite the striking throat pain, Dr. Marc Siegel said that Nimbus does not appear more virulent than earlier strains. Dr. Kenneth Perry, an emergency room physician in South Carolina, noted that the predominant symptoms of Covid continue to shift with each new variant, saying, 'With the new variant, it appears that the sore throat is yet again a prominent symptom. The pain is caused by direct infection and inflammation of the throat's cells." What US Health Agency Has Said On Nimbus? Though the variant is clearly spreading, the CDC noted that NB.1.8.1 is still emerging in terms of genetic sequencing data. A CDC spokesperson told Newsweek that fewer than 20 confirmed genetic sequences of the variant had been documented in US baseline surveillance so far while public health officials remain alert to its rise, particularly in high-population states like California and New York. Dr. Tyler B. Evans, infectious disease expert and CEO of the Wellness and Equity Alliance, said that while Nimbus may not drastically differ from other recent strains, it should still be taken seriously. 'We're still seeing the familiar signs—sore throat, nasal congestion, fatigue, cough," he told Newsweek, adding, 'But in some people, especially the unvaccinated, this can escalate into more severe respiratory symptoms." First Published: June 18, 2025, 18:07 IST
Economic Times
9 hours ago
- Health
- Economic Times
Razor blade throat Covid variant spreading very fast in U.S - Americans need to keep these things in mind
A new COVID variant called Nimbus is spreading in the US. This variant, officially known as NB.1.8.1, causes severe sore throats. Health experts are monitoring it closely due to summer travel. Nimbus appears to spread more easily. Vaccination is still important. The elderly and immunocompromised should take precautions. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads What makes this new variant different? Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Should you worry about Nimbus this summer? Why is 'razor blade throat' trending? Is a sore throat a direct symptom of COVID? Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads What should Americans do? FAQs A new variant of COVID is spreading in the US. The NB.1.8.1 COVID variant , which is also called Nimbus, is spreading quickly and making a lot of people have a very sore throat that feels like they're almost swallowing experts are keeping a close eye on it because summer travel makes it more likely to California, the new " razor blade throat " COVID subvariant rapidly gains traction. In a recent report, the World Health Organization labeled the variant, officially known as NB.1.8.1, a 'variant under monitoring' on May 23. It's not a serious threat at the moment, but it's spreading quickly enough to cause concern, as per a report by Sf the end of April, it accounted for 10.7% of COVID-19 samples worldwide, up from 2.5% a month to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the variant, which is colloquially known as "Nimbus," accounted for an estimated 37% of cases in the United States over the two weeks ending June 7, as per a report by Fox not more virulent, Nimbus seems to be easier to spread. The virus's spike protein, which aids in cell infection, is one of the many genetic alterations in the variant, which was initially discovered in January. Some of those modifications may facilitate its spread or help the body evade the immune response, particularly in people who have already been vaccinated or infected, as per areport by SF to state officials, the variant is currently expanding more quickly than other strains and is being closely monitored using wastewater surveillance and genomic positive rates have gradually increased from 1.1% in March to 2.8% by June, despite wastewater levels seemingly stabilizing in recent weeks. The agency stated that hospitalization rates are still low and stable in spite of of the COVID subvariants have a characteristic feature, including the "razor-sharp" sore throat that Nimbus has been known to have been complaining of excruciatingly painful sore throats; some have likened the feeling to swallowing glass or razor Carolina emergency room physician Kenneth Perry, M.D., concurred that the main symptoms of every COVID strain have various sore throats have always been experienced by people with COVID," he stated, "and they are more commonly reported with Omicron. In fact, 70% of people have reported having a sore throat with COVID."A severe sore throat is not a new symptom, nor does it always suggest that COVID is the cause. Acid reflux, bacterial infections, and allergies are some of the causes of pharyngitis, the medical term for a sore cause of throat pain will determine how it is treated, so it's critical to get a medical diagnosis from a medicines and treatments for pharyngitis include honey, anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, and over-the-counter antacids. While an over-the-counter antacid may be sufficient to treat acid reflux, antibiotics may be necessary for bacterial infections."Patients may have difficulty keeping up with hydration or even trouble taking medicine to help their symptoms due to the pain in their throat, which can cause them to be dehydrated.'According to the Cleveland Clinic, gargling a solution made with ½ teaspoon salt per cup of water can reduce throat irritation and the throat, gargling, sucking on lozenges, and drinking plenty of water can all help to relieve the United States, the new NB.1.8.1 variant has started to spread, and the current vaccine should protect against it. Those who are elderly or immunocompromised should update their vaccinations and wear masks as a severe sore throat, a symptom of the new NB.1.8.1 variant. Some say it's like swallowing shards of necessarily. It spreads faster, but experts believe it is not as severe as previous strains. It is still important to keep up with vaccinations.
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
Razor blade throat Covid variant spreading very fast in U.S - Americans need to keep these things in mind
A new COVID variant called Nimbus is spreading in the US. This variant, officially known as NB.1.8.1, causes severe sore throats. Health experts are monitoring it closely due to summer travel. Nimbus appears to spread more easily. Vaccination is still important. The elderly and immunocompromised should take precautions. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads What makes this new variant different? Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Should you worry about Nimbus this summer? Why is 'razor blade throat' trending? Is a sore throat a direct symptom of COVID? Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads What should Americans do? FAQs A new variant of COVID is spreading in the US. The NB.1.8.1 COVID variant , which is also called Nimbus, is spreading quickly and making a lot of people have a very sore throat that feels like they're almost swallowing experts are keeping a close eye on it because summer travel makes it more likely to California, the new " razor blade throat " COVID subvariant rapidly gains traction. In a recent report, the World Health Organization labeled the variant, officially known as NB.1.8.1, a 'variant under monitoring' on May 23. It's not a serious threat at the moment, but it's spreading quickly enough to cause concern, as per a report by Sf the end of April, it accounted for 10.7% of COVID-19 samples worldwide, up from 2.5% a month to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the variant, which is colloquially known as "Nimbus," accounted for an estimated 37% of cases in the United States over the two weeks ending June 7, as per a report by Fox not more virulent, Nimbus seems to be easier to spread. The virus's spike protein, which aids in cell infection, is one of the many genetic alterations in the variant, which was initially discovered in January. Some of those modifications may facilitate its spread or help the body evade the immune response, particularly in people who have already been vaccinated or infected, as per areport by SF to state officials, the variant is currently expanding more quickly than other strains and is being closely monitored using wastewater surveillance and genomic positive rates have gradually increased from 1.1% in March to 2.8% by June, despite wastewater levels seemingly stabilizing in recent weeks. The agency stated that hospitalization rates are still low and stable in spite of of the COVID subvariants have a characteristic feature, including the "razor-sharp" sore throat that Nimbus has been known to have been complaining of excruciatingly painful sore throats; some have likened the feeling to swallowing glass or razor Carolina emergency room physician Kenneth Perry, M.D., concurred that the main symptoms of every COVID strain have various sore throats have always been experienced by people with COVID," he stated, "and they are more commonly reported with Omicron. In fact, 70% of people have reported having a sore throat with COVID."A severe sore throat is not a new symptom, nor does it always suggest that COVID is the cause. Acid reflux, bacterial infections, and allergies are some of the causes of pharyngitis, the medical term for a sore cause of throat pain will determine how it is treated, so it's critical to get a medical diagnosis from a medicines and treatments for pharyngitis include honey, anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, and over-the-counter antacids. While an over-the-counter antacid may be sufficient to treat acid reflux, antibiotics may be necessary for bacterial infections."Patients may have difficulty keeping up with hydration or even trouble taking medicine to help their symptoms due to the pain in their throat, which can cause them to be dehydrated.'According to the Cleveland Clinic, gargling a solution made with ½ teaspoon salt per cup of water can reduce throat irritation and the throat, gargling, sucking on lozenges, and drinking plenty of water can all help to relieve the United States, the new NB.1.8.1 variant has started to spread, and the current vaccine should protect against it. Those who are elderly or immunocompromised should update their vaccinations and wear masks as a severe sore throat, a symptom of the new NB.1.8.1 variant. Some say it's like swallowing shards of necessarily. It spreads faster, but experts believe it is not as severe as previous strains. It is still important to keep up with vaccinations.
Fox News
a day ago
- Health
- Fox News
New COVID variant may cause 'razor blade throat' — here's what to know
Print Close By Khloe Quill Published June 17, 2025 A new COVID-19 variant called NB.1.8.1 could account for up to one-third of cases, according to health officials. One hallmark of this latest strain is a symptom some people are calling "razor blade throat." The variant — informally referred to as "Nimbus" — made up an estimated 37% of cases in the U.S. during a two-week period ending June 7, as stated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). US SEES CASES OF NEW COVID-19 VARIANT LINKED TO SURGE IN CHINA: REPORT Nimbus appears to be more easily transmissible, but not more virulent, meaning it doesn't generally make people sicker than other variants, Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel told Fox News Digital. What is razor blade throat? "Many of the COVID subvariants have a characteristic feature," Siegel said, noting that Nimbus has been known to cause a "razor-sharp" sore throat. Patients have been reporting extremely painful sore throats, with some comparing the sensation to swallowing razor blades or glass. CAN'T STOP CLEARING YOUR THROAT? A DOCTOR EXPLAINS WHY — AND HOW TO FIX IT Kenneth Perry, MD, an ER physician in South Carolina, agrees that the predominant symptoms of each COVID strain have changed and morphed. "With some variants, fever and body aches were more prominent, where other strains had almost no symptoms at all," he told Fox News Digital. "With the new variant, it appears that the sore throat is yet again a prominent symptom." "Nothing helped. It was absolutely excruciating." The sore throat is caused by the direct infection of the cells of the throat, causing irritation, according to Perry. There has been a recent spike in searches for "razor blade throat COVID" and other similar phrases, per Google Trends. One user on Reddit stated that "razor blade throat" is an accurate description of their symptoms. "I knew it, that is exactly how [I] described it to people. Like swallowing razor blades or shards of glass," the user wrote. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP "Nothing helped. It was absolutely excruciating." Another Reddit user wrote that they had COVID four times, and each time, they experienced sharp, painful throat irritation. Other causes An intense sore throat does not necessarily mean COVID is to blame, nor is it an entirely new symptom. Pharyngitis — the medical term for a sore throat — can have a variety of causes. Bacterial infections, allergies and acid reflux can all contribute to throat pain, experts say. "Pharyngitis, or sore throat, is a common finding with many viral infections," Perry told Fox News Digital. "Although roughly 20% of sore throats are caused by certain bacteria, most are caused by viruses such as COVID." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER Treatment for throat pain will depend on the cause, which is why it's important to consult a healthcare professional for a medical diagnosis, doctors agree. Treatment for pharyngitis is typically a mix of classic remedies and medicine, according to Perry. "Honey is the treatment of choice for sore throat and cough," he told Fox News Digital. "Anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen or naproxen are also helpful to improve symptoms." Bacterial infections may require antibiotics, while treatment for acid reflux could be as simple as an over-the-counter antacid. "Patients may have difficulty keeping up with hydration or even trouble taking medicine to help their symptoms due to the pain in their throat, which can cause them to be dehydrated," Perry cautioned. For more Health articles, visit "Gargling a mixture that's ½ teaspoon of salt per 1 cup of water can ease inflammation and irritation in your throat," according to Cleveland Clinic. Siegel added that sucking on lozenges, gargling, staying hydrated and numbing the throat can all help to soothe symptoms. Print Close URL
