Symptoms of new Covid variant sweeping US that you need to look out for after fears it’s more transmissible

The word no one wants to ever hear again has unfortunately been popping up in the news at the moment - Coronavirus.

If you’re feeling a little bit run down at the moment, you probably won’t be the only one, as a new Covid variant has been sweeping through the US.

While you might just have the common cold, it’s important to know the signs and symptoms of the strain so you know exactly what you’re dealing with if it is Covid.

The new variant is known as NB.1.8.1 and is currently making its way around the globe after first being detected in China in January.

Cases have also been reported in Thailand, Indonesia and China, before now being detected in the United States.

And according to The Independent, the UK Health Security Agency recorded the first 13 cases in England last week.

This is everything you need to know about the new Covid variant (Lu ShaoJi / Getty Images)

What is NB.1.8.1?

There’s no need to panic as the pandemic is well and truly over, the new strain has simply emerged because the virus that causes Covid, SARS-CoV-2, is still spreading.

It’s also mutating which is what causes new variants to occur, like NB.1.8.1, also called Nimbus, which is an Omicron descendant.

However, a report by the World Health Organisation Technical Advisory Group explains that the global public health risk posed by the virus strain is currently low.

It accounts for just over ten percent of global infections at the moment, after rising from just 2.5 percent last month.

Since the amount of people taking Covid tests is minimal, it's hard to know exactly how much the virus has spread (Images By Tang Ming Tung)

What are the symptoms of NB.1.8.1?

It’s also important to note that the symptoms of the new strain won’t be much different to those that we’re already familiar with.

The signs include fever, a severe sore throat described as 'razor-blade throat,' congestion, body aches, and fatigue.

But, NB.1.8.1 ‘can infect cells more efficiently and can trigger gastrointestinal symptoms’ such as diarrhoea, constipation and nausea, reports The Independent.

The publication also states that the variant can spread more easily, so it’s important to take the usual steps to protect yourself like frequent hand washing.

Subhash Verma, a professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, explained this to CBS News.

He said: "Data indicates that NB.1.8.1 does not lead to more severe illness compared to previous variants, although it appears to have a growth advantage, suggesting it may spread more easily.”

Adding: "In other words, it is more transmissible."

The symptoms include fatigue, fever and a sore throat (SimpleImages / Getty Images)

Do the vaccines work against NB.1.8.1 and how far has it spread?

As of right now, the current Covid vaccines are thought to still protect against the new variant.

And as for where it’s hit so far, the virus began by spreading throughout China and Hong Kong, before being recorded in the US and Australia.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that it has spread throughout 22 countries so far.

In the U.S., it has been traced to New York, California, Arizona, Ohio, and Rhode Island, according to Gingko Bioworks, the CDC’s airport testing partner.

Meanwhile, in the UK cases have been confirmed in Northern Ireland and Wales.