'Nimbus' and 'Stratus' Covid variant symptoms to look out for and how to tell whether it’s something else

Following the emergence of two new Covid strains, medical professionals are raising awareness of the possible symptoms of each, as well as how to distinguish them from other, more commonplace seasonal illnesses.

As if we could possibly forget, the effects of Coronavirus first came to light back in early 2020, resulting in a global pandemic being declared, which resulted in national lockdowns, and an international vaccine roll-out race.

Health officials warned us about a possible loss of sense and taste, as well as throbbing headaches, fevers and chills, an upset stomach, aches and pains, and the possibility of experiencing shortness of breath.

Though the initial threat of the virus is largely considered to be over, Covid has continued to be indentified by scientists as they aim to reduce it's risk to the public.

Several variants of Covid-19 have developed over the years (Getty Stock Image)

And more recently, health experts have focused on two new global variants of the disease that have been doing the rounds recently - 'Nimbus', which is most prominent in the UK, and 'Stratus', which is taking told in the States.

Let's start with the former.

'Nimbus'

According to the World Health Organisation, this Brit-centric virus (referred to technically as NB.1.8.1) is 'highly infectious due to its strong ability to bind to human cells'.

The strain is said to garner all the same symptoms of the more general Coronavirus, only with a few new painful additions.

Apparently, to suffer from 'Nimbus' is to endure the feeling of an agonising sore throat, which some patients have equated to gargling glass.

Along with a sore throat, sufferers have also reported enduring a hoarse voice for several days after diagnosis.

'Nimbus' is characterised by a sore throat (Getty Stock Images)

When it comes to NHS advice on handling this particularly nasty strain, patients have been told to continue consuming plenty of fluids, popping your average painkillers, and maybe adding a teaspoon of honey into your hot drinks to help ease any throat pain.

'Stratus'

Like its UK-based counterpart, the main symptoms of the 'Stratus' strain (known technically as XFG) are said to align with the majority of most common Covid symptoms.

That said, however, many of these patients have complained about suffering both fatigue and a fever to a much more extreme degree. Others have claimed that a severe, persistent, dry cough made their experience with the virus - which was first recorded in March - even worse.

Comparing the two virus, public health epidemiology and medicine professor Dr. Albert Ko, of Yale University, told TODAY recently: "NB.1.18.1 (Nimbus) and XFG (Stratus) appear to be more transmissible compared to other variants."

He went on to advise: "All these newer omicron variants are highly contagious, but apparently not as severe."

'Stratus' sufferers have complained of a severe, dry cough (Getty Stock Image)

How to tell these Covid strains apart from other illnesses

Despite varying slightly compared to one another, both 'Nimbus' and 'Stratus' harbour symptoms that distinguish themselves from your average cough or cold.

Addressing these differences, Boots pharmacist Janky Raja recently emphasised: "Flu, the common cold and coronavirus are all illnesses caused by a viral infection of the respiratory system so it is not surprising that they share many common symptoms and can be difficult to tell apart."

She continued: "The main symptoms of Covid-19 are a high temperature, a new, continuous cough and loss or change to your sense of taste or smell. If you have any of these symptoms, get a test as soon as possible and stay at home until you get the result.

"If you have other symptoms that you are not sure about and want to find out what to do, use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service (or local equivalent) for more advice."

Colds are often characterised by runny noses and plenty of mucus (Getty Stock Images)

The BBC also spoke on these key differences recently, claiming that what differentiates a general cold from Covid are gradually-appearing symptoms like a runny nose, as well as a mucus-based cough, and possible ear pressure.

The flu, meanwhile, can be trickier to differentiate from Covid, given that this, too, involves symptoms like fatigue and a dry cough.

In cases of uncertainty, experts say it's best to pay attention to taste and smell-based symptoms to get a more accurate diagnosis.