What to Know About the COVID Variant Causing ‘Razor Blade’ Sore Throats

A new COVID-19 variant is making the rounds — and it’s earning a painful nickname: “razor blade throat” COVID.

Why the name? Doctors in the U.K., India, and other countries have flagged a particularly harsh sore throat as a standout symptom of this variant, officially called NB.1.8.1, or “Nimbus.” While that symptom has drawn attention, health experts say there’s no need to panic.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what’s happening — and what you should know:

1. Where is the ‘Nimbus’ variant spreading?

The World Health Organization (WHO) says the biggest spikes in cases tied to Nimbus have been in the Eastern Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, and the Western Pacific. As of mid-May, the variant accounted for nearly 11% of globally sequenced COVID samples.

In the U.S., airport screenings have picked it up in travelers arriving from those regions to states like California, Washington, Virginia, and New York.

2. Is ‘razor blade throat’ COVID more dangerous?

Not at this time.

While some countries in the Western Pacific are reporting increased COVID cases and hospitalizations, the WHO says there’s no evidence that Nimbus causes more severe illness than previous variants.

So yes, the sore throat might feel worse — but overall, this version of COVID doesn’t appear to be more dangerous.

3. Does the vaccine still work against it?

Yes — current COVID-19 vaccines are expected to remain effective against Nimbus.

The WHO has labeled the variant as a “variant under monitoring,” which means it’s on their radar but poses a low public health risk globally.

4. Wait—what’s this about vaccines no longer being recommended for kids and pregnant women?

Last month, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made headlines by announcing that COVID-19 vaccines are no longer recommended for healthy children and pregnant women. That statement sparked immediate backlash from public health experts, who warned that the move could put vulnerable populations at unnecessary risk — especially if a more serious variant emerges down the road.

The Bottom Line

The “razor blade throat” nickname might sound scary, but for now, Nimbus isn’t cause for alarm. While it’s spreading in some regions and triggering a painful sore throat in some people, it doesn’t appear to be more severe — and vaccines still provide protection.

Still, experts say it’s a good reminder that COVID-19 hasn’t disappeared and staying up to date on public health guidance, especially when traveling, remains important.