{"id":10163,"date":"2025-08-29T10:00:04","date_gmt":"2025-08-29T10:00:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/flushinghospital.org\/newsletter\/?p=10163"},"modified":"2025-08-28T18:05:23","modified_gmt":"2025-08-28T18:05:23","slug":"razor-blade-throat-covid-variant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/flushinghospital.org\/newsletter\/razor-blade-throat-covid-variant\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cRazor Blade Throat\u201d Covid Variant"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>The latest COVID-19 variant, NB. 1.8.1 or \u201cNimbus\u201d, has been rapidly spreading in the U.S. and is associated with a severe symptom, a sore throat described as \u201crazor blade throat\u201d.<\/p>\n

Since it was first discovered in the U.S. in March, NB.1.8.1 has become the nation\u2019s dominant strain of COVID-19. It accounted for an estimated 43% of cases in June, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).<\/p>\n

COVID-19 viruses bind to ACE2 receptors that are found on the surface of cells. Cells in the upper airway (nose and throat) have more ACE2 receptors than those in the lower airway and lungs do, making them prime targets for Omicron variants, which bind to these receptors more strongly. Research suggests that of all the variants circulating now, Nimbus binds to ACE2 receptors the most.<\/p>\n

Once the virus reaches those cell receptors in and around your throat, the immune system kicks into overdrive to keep the virus at bay, causing inflammation, fluid buildup, redness, and swelling.<\/p>\n

If you do experience an intense sore throat, experts recommend several remedies, including:<\/p>\n