3. Meet the New Variants: Nimbus and Stratus
The recent wave is being driven by new sub-variants of Omicron called Nimbus (NB.1.8.1) and Stratus (XFG). Because they are descendants of Omicron, their symptoms are largely familiar and similar to a cold or flu. However, there are a few minor differences to be aware of.
| Feature | Nimbus (NB.1.8.1) Variant | Stratus (XFG) Variant |
| Defining Symptom | A very sharp sore throat, which the source vividly describes with the Turkish phrase ‘jilet gibi’ (like a razor), often with swollen neck lymph nodes. | Symptoms are very similar to other Omicron variants, with some reports of it causing hoarseness. |
| Common Symptoms | Runny nose, headache, fatigue, sneezing, sore throat. In Turkey, it has also been observed to cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. | Chills, shortness of breath, sore throat, fatigue, headache, nausea/vomiting, muscle aches, diarrhea, and potential loss of taste/smell. |
| Geographic Spread | Mentioned as being responsible for approximately 43% of cases in the United States. | Mentioned as spreading in Europe and India. |
While there are subtle distinctions, the overall symptom profile for both variants is very similar to a bad cold or flu, making it important to know what to look for.