A croaky voice and a sharp, \u201crazor blade\u201d sore throat are emerging as tell-tale signs of the latest Covid variants now sweeping Britain and the US. The strains \u2014 XFB, dubbed Stratus, and NB.1.8.1, known as Nimbus \u2014 are fuelling a surge in infections, with cases doubling since August. At the same time, health chiefs have launched a winter vaccination drive, urging millions to come forward for Covid and flu jabs as hospitalisations creep up.<\/p>\n
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said positivity had risen from 7.6 to 8.4 per cent in just a week, while admissions increased from 2.0 to 2.73 per 100,000. In the US, nationwide Covid wastewater levels, used to measure the community spread of a virus, are \u201cmoderate,\u201d according to the CDC, but four states are recording \u201cvery high\u201d levels and those in the northeast region are on the rise. Dr Aaron Glatt, a US-based infectious disease expert, said patients were complaining of severe pain, \u201cas if their throat is covered with razor blades.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added that while this description is not unique to Covid-19, it has been used by some patients infected with the newest variants. The strains can also cause more familiar symptoms such as headaches, coughing, fatigue and a runny or blocked nose. Experts stress they are not more dangerous than earlier versions, but genetic mutations mean they can spread more easily. Health authorities advise people with symptoms to stay at home if possible, avoid vulnerable individuals and wear face coverings if they must go out.<\/p>\n
Over-75s, people with weakened immune systems and care home residents are eligible for the winter Covid booster, which can be booked through the NHS app, online or at walk-in centres. Pregnant women and children are also invited for vaccination, while toddlers can receive a flu spray at community pharmacies. The rise in cases comes after a controversial South Korean study claimed Covid vaccines \u201cmight raise the risk of cancer,\u201d though experts dismissed the findings as exaggerated and said there is no credible evidence that Covid vaccines cause or promote cancer. READ MORE BELOW<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A croaky voice and a sharp, \u201crazor blade\u201d sore throat are emerging as tell-tale signs of the latest Covid variants now sweeping Britain and the US. The… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1810,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1809","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n