Written By: Satata Karmakar | Updated : June 29, 2025 11:33 AM IST
NB.1.8.1 COVID Variant: 4 New Coronavirus Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore as the Strain Spreads Globally
New COVID Symptoms: A newly identified variant of COVID-19 is named NB.1.8.1 or 'Nimbus', showing some unusual symptoms and spreading across the world at a rapid rate. Despite the scary symptoms of this new variant, health organisations like the WHO and CDC continue to stress that, will not lead to more severe illness among most people. The majority of the health experts are concerned with the rate of transmission, which is typically high and increasing the spread of infection. Other than some common symptoms like fatigue and fever, this variant has been found to cause some unusual and unexpected symptoms, shocking for individuals in many ways.
Here are four surprising symptoms associated with the 'Nimbus' Variant that are grabbing special attention from doctors and patients.
Some of the visible symptoms found among people who had NB.1.8.1 were an unusual and painful sore throat. Which many describe as "like swallowing glass," or "like swallowing razor blades." Different from previous variants of COVID-19, like Omicron and Delta, the NB.1.8.1 variant generally causes a more intense and painful sore throat, often with a low-grade fever. According to the health experts, the new variant can bind tightly to throat cells and replicate fast.
Most people ignore this, but one of the emerging symptoms associated with the NB.1.8.1 variant leads to an impactful decrease in appetite, even without nausea or stomach illness. While a loss of appetite is not new to COVID-19, in Nimbus, it persists much earlier and without any sign of digestive issues. Experts believed that loss of appetite may be due to inflammation in the hypothalamus (the part of the brain that controls hunger). A marked loss of appetite could be the earliest clue of the infection and may also lead to low energy and muscle soreness.
Muscle Aches in Unexpected Areas
Muscle pain is a common symptom of COVID-19, but in this new wave of the NB.1.8.1 variant, people are reporting discomfort in unexpected areas such as the jaw, upper back, and even behind the ears. These aches are linked to the result of the immune system's early response to the virus. This variant appears to trigger inflammation in the muscle instead of fatigue; some may feel soreness in the isolated areas. This indicates a subtle sign that the body is fighting an early infection.
A lingering and irritating nasal blockage, described as "constant congestion", has emerged as a standout symptom of the new NB.1.8.1 COVID-19 variant. It is more intense than the cold-related stuffiness, and the counter remedies don't work effectively. Many patients report that the blockage can be persistent for more than a week. This can be due to the prolonged viral activity of the unique subvariant; unlike the symptoms of the common cold, this stays more severe and can increase the risk of transmission through frequent sneezing and coughing.
As the new variant of COVID-19, NB.1.8.1, or Nimbus, is spreading globally. Its symptoms can differ from the previous variants of COVID-19 waves. Including razor-sharp sore throats, muscle aches in odd areas, a sudden loss of appetite, and stubborn nasal congestion. But the variant doesn't appear to cause further severe illness, whereas its highly transmissible behaviour and unusual symptoms make early recognition more important.
