Latest news with #razorBladeThroat
CTV News
25-06-2025
- Health
- CTV News
COVID-19 outbreak at Sudbury hospital cardiac unit
A new variant of COVID known as 'razor blade throat' leads MedicalWatch for June 18, 2025. It's been more than two years since the COVID-19 pandemic ended, but the infectious disease continues to circulate, and an outbreak has been declared at the Sudbury hospital cardiac unit. Health Sciences North declared the COVID-19 outbreak in 8 North on Monday. 'We are asking all visitors and designated care partners to follow the steps below to prevent the spread of infection at HSN,' the hospital said Tuesday afternoon in a social media post. 'Clean your hands frequently when visiting HSN using hand sanitizer, wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (gown, gloves and mask) when visiting patients who are on isolation and if you are sick, refrain from visiting friends and family members.' Masking at the hospital is optional, except on units experiencing an outbreak. 'Visitors are required to self-screen for symptoms by reading signage as they enter the hospital,' HSN said. 'Please do not visit patients at HSN if you are not feeling well, have had COVID-19 in the last 10 days or come into close contact with someone who has had COVID-19 in the last 10 days.' The number and severity of cases is not known. Public Health Sudbury & Districts continues to monitor respiratory illnesses in the community and posts details on the number of cases, hospital admissions and outbreaks for COVID-19, influenza and RSV. The respiratory illness surveillance dashboard numbers are updated each Wednesday by 4 p.m.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Newest Covid variant causing ‘razor blade throat.' What to know
A new Covid variant spreading around the U.S. may come with an incredibly unfortunate symptom now commonly referred to as 'razor blade throat.' NB.1.8.1, which is also known as or 'Nimbus,' is now nearly the most prevalent omicron lineage tracked by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As the name implies, infection may lead to an incredibly painful sore throat, according to experts. Other symptoms, though, are more typical of a Covid infection, including fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, and the loss of taste or smell. 'A 'razor blade throat' is a very descriptive term describing severe sore throat pain — as if their throat is covered with razor blades — (like) with various viral infections,' Dr. Aaron Glatt, chair of the department of medicine and chief of infectious diseases at Mount Sinai South Nassau in New York, told 'While not specific to Covid-19, this expression has been used to describe sore throat symptoms in some patients with the most recent Covid-19 variant,' he said. But although the new omicron variant may result in a painful infection, experts say that it does not appear to be more severe than others. 'Every time you get a new strain, it always is a little bit more transmissible than what came before it,' Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, a UCSF infectious disease specialist, told SFGATE. 'Just like a pop song is more catchy when it rises to the top of the charts. And this particular one, Nimbus, is not just proportionally higher right now in California, the speed at which it's rising in the charts is also high … but it's not more severe.' Just how virulent it is remains a topic of discussion. 'What sets NB.1.8.1 apart is how quickly it spreads,' explains Dr. Magdalena Sobieszczyk, chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, said in a statement. 'It has a genetic advantage: mutations that make it easy for it to bind to receptors on human cells. The mutations could allow NB.1.8.1 to spread faster and, therefore, infect more people.' The World Health Organization has designated Nimbus as a 'variant under monitoring,' and considers the public health risk low globally. Current vaccines are expected to remain effective. But the longevity of the availability of Covid vaccines in the U.S. remains murky. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., said last month that shots are no longer recommended for healthy children and pregnant women. He has also removed members of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's vaccine advisory panel and replaced them with people who have been skeptical of Covid vaccines and mandates.
The Independent
20-06-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Newest Covid variant causing ‘razor blade throat.' What to know
A new Covid variant spreading around the U.S. may come with an incredibly unfortunate symptom now commonly referred to as 'razor blade throat.' NB.1.8.1, which is also known as or 'Nimbus,' is now nearly the most prevalent omicron lineage tracked by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As the name implies, infection may lead to an incredibly painful sore throat, according to experts. Other symptoms, though, are more typical of a Covid infection, including fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, and the loss of taste or smell. 'A 'razor blade throat' is a very descriptive term describing severe sore throat pain — as if their throat is covered with razor blades — (like) with various viral infections,' Dr. Aaron Glatt, chair of the department of medicine and chief of infectious diseases at Mount Sinai South Nassau in New York, told 'While not specific to Covid-19, this expression has been used to describe sore throat symptoms in some patients with the most recent Covid-19 variant,' he said. But although the new omicron variant may result in a painful infection, experts say that it does not appear to be more severe than others. 'Every time you get a new strain, it always is a little bit more transmissible than what came before it,' Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, a UCSF infectious disease specialist, told SFGATE. 'Just like a pop song is more catchy when it rises to the top of the charts. And this particular one, Nimbus, is not just proportionally higher right now in California, the speed at which it's rising in the charts is also high … but it's not more severe.' Just how virulent it is remains a topic of discussion. 'What sets NB.1.8.1 apart is how quickly it spreads,' explains Dr. Magdalena Sobieszczyk, chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, said in a statement. 'It has a genetic advantage: mutations that make it easy for it to bind to receptors on human cells. The mutations could allow NB.1.8.1 to spread faster and, therefore, infect more people.' The World Health Organization has designated Nimbus as a 'variant under monitoring,' and considers the public health risk low globally. Current vaccines are expected to remain effective. But the longevity of the availability of Covid vaccines in the U.S. remains murky. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., said last month that shots are no longer recommended for healthy children and pregnant women. He has also removed members of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's vaccine advisory panel and replaced them with people who have been skeptical of Covid vaccines and mandates.
CTV News
19-06-2025
- Health
- CTV News
What to know about the COVID variant that may cause ‘razor blade' sore throats
Denmark's Jonas Vingegaard, left, and teammate Matteo Jorgenson, of the U.S., wear face masks to protect themselves from the coronavirus prior to the start of the fourteenth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 151.9 kilometres with start in Pau and finish in Saint-Lary-Soulan Pla d'Adet, France, July 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole, File) The COVID-19 variant that may be driving a recent rise in cases in some parts of the world has earned a new nickname: 'razor blade throat' COVID. That's because the variant — NB.1.8.1. or 'Nimbus' — may cause painful sore throats. The symptom has been identified by doctors in the United Kingdom, India and elsewhere, according to media outlets in those countries. Other COVID-19 symptoms of any variant include fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath or loss of taste or smell. Experts say there isn't major cause for concern with the Nimbus variant, but here 's what else you need to know about it. Here's where the variant causing 'razor blade throat' is spreading The rise in cases late last month is primarily in eastern Mediterranean, Southeast Asia and western Pacific regions, the World Health Organization said May 28. The new variant had reached nearly 11 per cent of sequenced samples reported globally in mid-May. Airport screening in the United States detected the new variant in travelers arriving from those regions to destinations in California, Washington state, Virginia and New York. You aren't likely to get sicker from this variant than others Not so far, anyway. The WHO said some western Pacific countries have reported increases in COVID cases and hospitalizations, but there's nothing so far to suggest that the disease associated with the new variant is more severe compared to other variants. COVID-19 vaccines are effective against the Nimbus variant Yes. The WHO has designated Nimbus as a 'variant under monitoring' and considers the public health risk low at the global level. Current vaccines are expected to remain effective. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced last month that COVID-19 shots are no longer recommended for healthy children and pregnant women — a move immediately questioned by public health experts. ___ Devi Shastri, The Associated Press AP Health Writer Carla Johnson contributed to this story. The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Health Line
19-06-2025
- Health
- Health Line
New COVID Variant Nimbus May Cause Painful ‘Razor Blade Throat' Symptom
The Nimbus variant of COVID-19 is on the rise, as many have reported a painful symptom they're calling 'razor blade throat.' If you have a severe sore throat, it's important to get tested to rule out strep throat to avoid severe complications. COVID-19 precautions like masking and vaccination remain important. A newly identified COVID-19 variant called 'Nimbus' is rapidly spreading in the United States and making headlines with a common symptom that's turning heads in exam rooms. People contracting a COVID-19 infection are reporting an unusually intense sore throat, described as feeling like swallowing razor blades. Some think this symptom, dubbed 'razor blade throat,' may set this variant apart from earlier ones. However, experts aren't so sure. Sore throat has long been recognized as a COVID-19 symptom. Early data suggest Nimbus may not cause more severe illness overall, but reports of severe sore throats are raising questions about how this variant might differ from its predecessors. Here's what experts told Healthline about the Nimbus variant — and what you should know. Nimbus is more transmissible, but not as severe According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Nimbus, also known as NB.1.8.1, is a subvariant of the Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. Yale School of Medicine Assistant Professor Scott Roberts, MD, explained that Nimbus currently accounts for about one-third of COVID-19 cases in the United States. 'It is more transmissible than the current circulating variants because of several mutations in the spike protein that make it distinct from the others,' he told Healthline. 'But, it is still an omicron subvariant related to some variants that were circulating previously, so I suspect there will be an increase in cases, but not a wave to the degree we have had previously.' Kartik Cherabuddi, MD, FIDSA, Chief Hospital Epidemiology Officer at Tampa General Hospital, noted that while Nimbus is currently surging around the world, the public health risk is still low compared to other Omicron lineages. 'Early and limited laboratory data do not show a significant capability to evade the immune system or increased resistance to antiviral treatment,' he told Healthline. Cherabuddi added that no reported studies are currently available on the impact of Nimbus on clinical outcomes. However, '[r]outine surveillance, so far, does not reveal an increase in hospitalization or death,' he said. 'Razor blade throat' may not be a new COVID symptom Roberts said the symptoms of the Nimbus variant are the same as those of prior COVID-19 variants, including fever, cough, and sore throat. 'The 'razor blade throat' is anecdotal and there is no evidence to suggest that this variant leads to more severe sore throat than other variants,' he added. Roberts advised, however, if you do have a sore throat, it would be a good idea to test for COVID-19 to make sure it is not the cause. If your sore throat is severe, he also recommends checking in with your doctor to rule out strep throat. Other common symptoms of COVID-19 include loss of taste or smell and fatigue. Less frequently, individuals may experience: sore throat headaches body aches diarrhea skin rash discoloration of fingers or toes red, irritated eyes Symptoms of strep throat may include: sudden fever sore throat with white patches headache chills loss of appetite swollen lymph nodes problems with swallowing Experts say it's important to distinguish strep throat from COVID-19. Unlike COVID-19, which is caused by a virus, strep throat is a bacterial infection caused by group A Streptococcus. Strep throat often requires antibiotic treatment to prevent potentially serious complications. These may include peritonsillar abscesses (pus-filled infections behind the tonsils), rheumatic fever (which can damage the heart, joints, and skin), post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (a type of kidney inflammation), and, in rare cases, streptococcal toxic shock syndrome or meningitis. How to protect yourself from the Nimbus variant The first thing to know about protecting yourself from the Nimbus variant is that nothing has really changed in this department. 'The same tools that worked before will still work: handwashing, avoiding people who are sick, good ventilation, getting vaccinated, and masking in high risk settings,' said Roberts. The CDC recommends the vaccine for most adults ages 18 and older to maintain protection against severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Older adults, high risk individuals, and those who've never been vaccinated are especially encouraged to get it. Parents should consult a healthcare professional for kids under 18. The CDC additionally notes that immunity from previous vaccines wanes over time, making updated vaccination important. COVID-19 vaccine recommendations may also change soon, making it more difficult for healthy adults, children, and pregnant people to get one. Cherabuddi added there are certain symptoms that would indicate you need to consult with a physician, such as: severe throat pain throat pain that lasts longer than a week weight loss food sticking in your throat new or worsened shortness of breath 'If any of these red flags occur, have it checked out,' he said.
