A new SARS-CoV-2 variant, named NB.1.8.1, has raised concerns among experts due to its unusual symptoms, which include gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and heartburn. This variant has been detected in several countries, including the UK, the US, Australia, China, Hong Kong, Thailand, the Maldives, and Egypt.
Atypical and Easily Overlooked Symptoms
According to Ireland’s health authorities and the World Health Organization (WHO), the symptoms caused by NB.1.8.1 can include sore throat, cough, fatigue, fever, as well as gastrointestinal problems:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Bloating and constipation
- Diarrhea and heartburn
- Abdominal pain
Notably, some patients have also experienced chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, loss of taste and smell, confusion, and rashes. These symptoms can be mistaken for a common cold, seasonal flu, or digestive issues, making it challenging to identify COVID-19 infection.
WHO’s Monitoring List
WHO has officially included NB.1.8.1 on its list of variants to monitor due to its increased transmissibility. However, there is no evidence that this variant causes more severe disease. According to WHO statistics, this variant accounted for approximately 2.5% of infections in March but surged to 10.7% globally by the end of April. In Ireland, the proportion of cases attributed to NB.1.8.1 rose from 3.7% to 27.3% within just five weeks.
Ireland’s Isolation Guidelines
Ireland’s Health Service Executive (HSE) advises individuals to stay at home for a minimum of 48 hours after their COVID-19 symptoms have resolved or improved. They also recommend avoiding contact with others, especially those who are immunocompromised or at high risk.
“NB.1.8.1 presents with traditional symptoms such as cough, fever, sore throat, and myalgia, but the additional gastrointestinal signs make diagnosis more challenging,” said Dr. Lara Herrero, a virologist at Griffith University in Australia.
Precautions for Travelers
As this variant has been detected in popular international travel destinations, experts advise individuals to monitor their health before and after traveling and to remain vigilant, even with mild or unusual symptoms.
