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A new, more contagious COVID-19 variant \u2014 and the particularly painful sore throat it causes \u2014 is spreading this summer.<\/p>\n
NB.1.8.1, or Nimbus, is more contagious because it is better able to bind to cell receptors in the body as compared to recent past variants, said Erin Carlson, a clinical professor at the University of Texas at Arlington and an infectious disease expert with a doctorate in public health.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just like the difference between \u2014 for those of us originally from snowy, cold places \u2014 if you\u2019re slipping and sliding in your regular athletic shoes on the ice, versus if you put crampon spikes on your shoes, how that\u2019s going to dig into the ice,\u201d Carlson said.<\/p>\n
Those infected with this variant have reported a very painful sore throat, which has earned the nickname \u201crazor blade throat,\u201d and more are experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, bloating and diarrhea than did with past variants, Carlson said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Otherwise, the symptoms are the same as past iterations of the virus \u2014 including fever, cough, congestion and fatigue.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Like other variants, some individuals face a higher risk of getting seriously ill, such as those who are diabetic, immunocompromised or immunosuppressed. Carlson said those infected should keep their distance from others while contagious.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s still very important that if we think we\u2019re sick to stay at home, to wear a mask, those kinds of things, so we don\u2019t infect somebody who could potentially get very sick from this,\u201d Carlson said.<\/p>\n
Although Nimbus is more contagious, Carlson said, it is not more dangerous or deadly for those who catch it.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not actually causing more damage to the host, it just has the weird symptom of this sore throat,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
One reason researchers suspect COVID-19 cases increase during the summer months is because many people get COVID-19 vaccines in the fall when they get the flu vaccine, and their immunity is waning by summer, Carlson said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s something that is worth discussing with your health care provider more than once a year to see if you should be getting a booster going into that high COVID season in the summer, especially if you are somebody who is susceptible to severe disease,\u201d Carlson said.<\/p>\n
The best way to protect yourself against the virus is to stay current with your vaccinations, Carlson said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Precautions like wearing a mask and washing your hands are also still applicable.<\/p>\n
\u201cPublic health professionals consider this now to be an endemic disease, meaning that it\u2019s part of our lives,\u201d Carlson said. \u201cGet used to getting the vaccine. Get used to wearing masks during high times if you\u2019re concerned about getting sick. This is the way of life.\u201d<\/p>\n
McKinnon Rice is a reporting fellow for the Fort Worth Report. Contact her at mckinnon.rice@fortworthreport.org.\u00a0<\/p>\n
At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here<\/a>.<\/p>\n \n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n Fort Worth Report is certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative<\/a> for adhering to standards for ethical journalism.<\/p>\n Republish This Story<\/p>\n
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