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What to know about the Nimbus COVID-19 variant
The Nimbus variant, or NB.1.8.1, is a strain of SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19. Alongside the usual symptoms of COVID-19, it can cause a razor blade sensation in the throat and gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting. Although research on this variant is limited, it does not appear to result in more severe illness with COVID-19, and the currently approved vaccines are still is it?NB.1.8.1, unofficially named Nimbus, is a variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).It is currently listed as a 'variant under monitoring' (VUM) by the World Health Organization (WHO). Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) has been keeping track of different variants of SARS-CoV-2. The WHO assesses the variants and designates them as one of the following:VUM: This refers to SARS-CoV-2 variants that may require attention and monitoring. The WHO aims to determine whether these variants pose an additional threat to global public health compared to the other of Interest: A VOI refers to SARS-CoV-2 variants with changes that can affect how the virus behaves and its potential impact on a person's health. This could include its ability to spread and cause serious disease, and how it can be detected and of Concern: A VOC refers to SARS-CoV-2 variants that meet the criteria of a VOI and meet one or more of the following criteria: spreads rapidlycauses more severe diseasechanges in clinical presentationescapes the body's immune responsedecreases the effectiveness of public health measures, diagnostics, vaccines, or treatmentsWhat are the symptoms?According to the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations (Gavi), the symptoms of the NB.1.8.1 variant are essentially the same as the symptoms of the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2. The top five reported symptoms of the Omicron variant are:runny noseheadachefatiguesneezingsore throatHealthcare professionals in India report that it can cause a hoarse voice. Additionally, doctors in the United Kingdom warn that people may experience a razor blade sensation in the throat and gastrointestinal symptoms, including:nauseavomitingdiarrheaheartburnbloatingconstipationstomach painHowever, it is important to note that these symptoms have not been confirmed in scientific symptoms of COVID-19 include:coughshortness of breathnew loss of taste or smellmuscle and body achesheadacheWill it cause a more severe illness with COVID-19?The WHO has concluded that there is currently no evidence to suggest that this variant will result in more severe illness with COVID-19 than other also state that it does not appear to cause any additional public health risks and that it is not resistant to nirmatrelvir, an antiviral medication made by Pfizer to help treat COVID-19. This medication is combined with another antiviral called ritonavir under the brand name quickly does it spread?Although it does not appear to cause more severe illness with COVID-19, the NB.1.8.1 variant has evolved to spread to 2025 research, the NB.1.8.1 variant strongly binds to a human protein called ACE2. The virus uses this protein to enter human could be due to changes in its structure. Compared to earlier versions of the virus, it has seven changes in the spike protein, which is the part of the virus that attaches to human vaccines still effective against it?The WHO's risk evaluation states that the currently approved COVID-19 vaccines are still expected to be effective against this evaluation outlines one study that found that the NB.1.8.1 variant showed a 1.5- to 1.6-fold reduction in antibody effectiveness compared to the current most common COVID-19 variant. However, the WHO states that more research is necessary, and the current vaccines will still be explainedAntibodies are Y-shaped proteins that are a part of the immune system. The base of an antibody can communicate with other parts of the immune system, and the tip of an antibody binds to foreign invaders, such as bacteria and viruses, called antigens, to help the body eliminate it learns to recognize an antigen, the antibodies continue to circulate in the body and provide protection against future exposure to that particular the FDA has approved the following COVID-19 vaccines in the United States:Moderna (Spikevax)Comirnaty (Pfizer-BioNTech)The FDA has also authorized the following COVID-19 vaccines for emergency use:Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for individuals 6 months to 11 years of agePfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for individuals 6 months to 11 years of ageNovavax (Nuvaxovid) for those ages 12 and over»Learn more:COVID-19 vaccines and current recommendationsSummaryThe unofficially named Nimbus variant, or NB.1.8.1, is a new strain of SARS-CoV-2. It appears to cause symptoms similar to another SARS-CoV-2 variant called Omicron. According to reports from doctors in the UK, it can cause a razor-blade sensation in the throat. Healthcare professionals in India report that it can cause a hoarse voice and gastrointestinal symptoms. NB1.8.1 is currently classed as a VUM by the WHO. This means that it is a variant that they will continue to monitor to see if it poses an additional threat to global public it does not appear to cause more severe illness with COVID-19, although it has evolved to spread quickly. The currently-approved vaccines are expected to remain effective against the NB.1.8.1 variant.
