New COVID variant causes ‘razor blade throat’. What to know in TN
‘Razor blade throat’ COVID-19 variant emerges
The new COVID-19 variant carries with it a series of symptoms, including leaving those sick with a feeling of razor blades in their throat.
- NB.1.8.1, a new COVID-19 variant, is projected to the be the second-most common strain in the United States.
- NB.1.8.1 is more transmissible and immune-evasive than previous strains.
- Symptoms are similar to previous variants, possibly including a severe sore throat.
A new COVID-19 variant is on the rise. Variant NB.1.8.1, which was unheard of just months ago, is now projected to be the second-most common strain in the United States.
Variant NB.1.8.1 was first detected in China in January, reported USA TODAY, but accounted for virtually none of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. until May. By early June, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated it was responsible for up to 37% of new infections.
In a May report, the World Health Organization assessed the additional public health risk posed by the variant as “low at the global level” and stated that currently approved COVID-19 vaccines are “expected to remain effective against this variant in preventing both symptomatic and severe disease.”
Here’s what to know about NB.1.8.1 in Tennessee.
What is NB.1.8.1? What are the symptoms?
NB.1.8.1 is one of the newest COVID-19 variants and is considered a “slightly upgraded version” of the currently prominent LP.8.1 variant, said Subhash Verma, a professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Nevada, Reno.
The variant was first detected in China in January. As of mid-May, it accounted for approximately 10.7% of globally reported COVID-19 cases, according to the WHO. NB.1.8.1 may spread more easily than LP.8.1 and is also more capable of evading antibodies generated by vaccines or previous infections, added Verma.
“NB.1.8.1 is likely to spread more rapidly and evade our immune defenses more easily than LP.8.1, which is why this variant requires careful monitoring,” Verma told USA TODAY.
The CDC has not identified any symptoms unique to the NB.1.8.1 variant. However, a particularly painful sore throat — commonly referred to as “razor blade throat” — has been associated with the variant, according to multiple reports.
Verma said that NB.1.8.1 symptoms appear similar to those of earlier COVID-19 variants, which include:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Sore throat
- Congestion or a runny nose
- New loss of taste or smell
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
The CDC advises seeking medical care if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion
- Inability to wake or stay awake
- Depending on skin tone, lips, nail beds and skin may appear pale, gray, or blue
How common is NB.1.8.1?
For the two-week period ending June 21, the CDC’s Nowcast tracker estimated that NB.1.8.1 was the most dominant COVID-19 strain, accounting for approximately 43% of reported cases.
LP.8.1, a subvariant of Omicron, has remained the most common and dominant COVID-19 strain since May, while the presence of NB.1.8.1 has surged in recent weeks, rising from 0% of U.S. cases through March to 2% in April, 5% in early May and 15% by late May.
For the two-week period ending on May 10, LP.8.1 accounted for 67% reported cases in region 4, which includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
Latest COVID-19 data in Tennessee
COVID-19 cases have decreased in the Volunteer State, according to the latest data from the Tennessee Department of Health.
Cases were at their highest in 2025 during early February, when the percentage of emergency room visits with discharge diagnosis codes for COVID-19 was 1.3% For the week beginning on June 22, the figure was 0.2%.
How can you protect yourself from NB.1.8.1 and other variants?
Vaccination remains the CDC’s recommended method of protection against COVID-19 and its evolving variants. In a webpage dated June 6, the center advised that most adults aged 18 and older receive the 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine.
The recommendation is especially critical for individuals aged 65 and older, those at high risk for severe illness and anyone who has never received a COVID-19 vaccine, said the center.
However, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced on May 27 that the COVID-19 vaccine would no longer be recommended for healthy children and pregnant women. The updated guidance limits recommendations to adults over 65 and those with underlying conditions, potentially restricting access for others.
The future availability of the COVID-19 vaccine remains uncertain, reported USA TODAY.
How to get a COVID-19 test in Tennessee
Tennesseans may schedule COVID-19 testing at various pharmacies such as CVS and Walgreens.
Diana Leyva covers trending news and service journalism for the Tennessean. Contact her at [email protected] or follow her on X at @_leyvadiana
link
