COVID-19 cases have risen again in the United States and the United Kingdom, driven by a new mutation “Stratus” or XFG variant, which was first detected in March. Now, it is the main variant, which has taken over from NB.1.8.1 (also known as the Nimbus variant), which was previously in the loop.
Covid-19 is developing rapidly, becoming more infectious but milder as each variant develops. The virus that once caused a global pandemic and caused a widespread disease is still emerging, but is now causing fewer hospitalizations. According to the Nature Daily, although lockdown is a thing of the past, the virus may still affect people silently, and continue to have symptoms of infection after a long period of two years. Vaccination and immunity have been carried out from the waves of the past, at least as the virus transformed from the deadly delta into a very mild Omicron variant, with dramatic claims from Covid in 2020-2025.
Joint in 2025
The virus has multiple mutations that have become better at infecting people and evading the immunity of past infections, but severe disease has become an unconcerned issue. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, who are low in immunity or have lung, heart disease or diabetes, are still at risk of complications.
In 2025, Covid is milder, usually similar to cold or heat-related respiratory illnesses, with less severe symptoms. Variability continues to develop, adding to hoarse characteristics such as hoarseness, a razor stinging sore throat or severe fatigue, thanks to past vaccinations, which are becoming more and more due to past illnesses and hospitalizations, a mobile illness, a mobile, Tayal, consultant for internal medicine, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram.
“Covid-19 now looks like a bad cold or influenza, with symptoms such as extreme sore throat (or feeling of having a razor blade in the throat), cought, congestion, fatigue, headaches, and fever. Body aches and shortness of breath are the only other symptoms that may arise but severe pneumonia is not frequently, says Dr. Manav Manchanda, Director & Head – Respiratory, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, Asian Hospital.
Dr. Manchanda said that compared to 2020, Covid often causes respiratory collapse, and respiratory collapse with high fever has been a long way to go.
“Massive vaccination, previous infections and OMICRON-derived variants have reduced severity, the mortality rate is currently down to below 1%, and the severity continues much more, resulting in an average infection of 5-7 pounds,” the expert said.
Symptoms of the latest variant range from fever, cough, fatigue, sore throat to smell and smell.
Financialexpress.com has spoken to experts about changing as the virus evolves into newer strains over the past five years.
2025 (until mid-year)
“In 2025, symptoms of Covid-19 disease are sore throat, cough, congestion or runny nose, fever or chills, fever or chills, fatigue, headache, shortness of breath and occasional loss of taste/odor, but not as often as previous strains. Nausea may occur in some cases,” Dr. Manchanda said.
Strains circulating in the United States and India
In the United States, XFG (Stratus) and NB.1.8.1 (Nimbus) have become the main strains and triggered summer outbreaks with high transmission but reduced severity. In India, NB.1.8.1 (also known as Nimbus), LF.7 and emerging XFG strains are common, and although a large proportion of the population is immune, it occasionally leads to an occasional rise. Experts added that new and improved vaccines are recommended for these variants.
Stratus (XFG): Fever, cough, fatigue, sore throat, loss of taste/odor, and hoarse attacks; some patients report chest pain or difficulty in staying awake.
Nimbus (NB.1.8.1): Known for the infamous “razor” sore throat, as well as typical symptoms such as fever, cough, body pain, congestion; sometimes GI problems.
How Internet symptoms have changed over the years
2020
According to Dr. Manchanda, in 2020, the Wuhan strain showed fever, dry cough, fatigue, and excessive loss of odor/taste, marked with a pathology of lower respiratory dysfunction.
2021
Experts say that in 2021, the alpha/β to delta variant is associated with similar symptoms, but more severe hypoxia and hospitalization. Anorexia persists.
2022
“Omicron 2022 (Ba.1/2/5) adopts a pattern of sore throat, runny nose, headache, fatigue, reduced odor and mild illness,” Dr. Manchanda said.
“Omicron and its subvariables arrive. The symptom profile turns sharply toward signs similar to cold, including headache, sore throat, runny nose, sneezing and fatigue. Loss of taste or taste and classical signs are not too common. In addition, night sweats begin to be reported, especially BA.5,” said Dr. Tayal.
2023
In 2023, due to widespread immunity, the trend continues toward mild, nonspecific, cold-like symptoms. Dr. Teyar said that the incidence of long-term floating has decreased compared to the Delta era because of the emergence of new sub-racing cars, but has decreased global severity.
2024
“In 2024, the most common non-transmission condition is 2024 JN.1, involving headaches, coughs and nose,” Dr. Manchanda said.
2025
“In 2025, KP.2/Flirt, NB.1.8.1 (Nimbus) and XFG (Stratus) dominate the U.S. and India, including severe sore throat (shaver), cough, congestion, congestion, and are largely the upper limit of sensitivity.