Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info
If you’re feeling under the weather with a sharp sore throat and high temperatures, you might have contracted one of the new strains of Covid that’s been doing the rounds this autumn.
It’s been half a decade since the initial outbreak of Covid-19, and in that time, several different variants have emerged. XFG, also referred to as Stratus by some, and NB. 1.8.
1, known as Nimbus, are currently the most prevalent variants circulating throughout Ireland, as confirmed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) at the end of September 2025, amidst a recent spike in cases here. Experts maintain that these do not seem to pose any greater threat than previous types of Covid or cause people to feel more unwell, reports the Irish Mirror.
However, recent genetic modifications acquired by the virus may increase the likelihood of infection and present slightly different symptoms. Dr Kaywaan Khan, a Harley Street GP and Founder of Hannah London Clinic, told The Mirror: “You can still get some of the same features as with the common cold, like a cough or runny nose, but we are seeing a lot more hoarseness of voice.
“It’s not a defining feature, you can experience this with the common cold too but with Covid, you can get a bit of laryngitis and this hoarse voice.” This is somewhat different from symptoms associated with other strains. Dr Khan added: “You can get a razor sharp sore throat, but also loss of taste. It’s probably less common than the first strains but that can indicate Covid.”
It is typical for viruses to mutate as they circulate amongst people over time. When the alterations become substantially different, the new virus forms are referred to as variants.
Covid can still trigger a broad spectrum of symptoms, including headache, coughing, a blocked or runny nose and fatigue, making it challenging to differentiate from a cold or flu. If you suspect you have Covid you should avoid contact with vulnerable people and remain at home if possible.
If you have symptoms and need to leave the house, guidance continues that you should wear a face covering. Regular handwashing and proper tissue disposal in bins can reduce the transmission of this and other respiratory illnesses.
Dr Khan also advocates early testing for those who are more vulnerable or are immunocompromised. He says: “With Covid, you can get antivirals, but this will only be beneficial if you get tested really early. If you are immunocompromised, or have another condition, testing can provide information to your GP and they can consider antiviral medication.”
Current vaccines remain highly effective at providing robust protection against serious disease. The WHO stated: “It’s normal for viruses to mutate and change, and as more data becomes available on these variants we’ll have a better understanding of how they interact with our immune systems and how to optimise our protection, as well as actions we can take to keep the most vulnerable safe and live our lives as normally as possible.
“The most important thing is for those eligible to get their vaccination when it is due.” Information on Covid vaccines in Ireland can be found on the HSE website.
Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice .
For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage .
