It is that time of year again and Covid-19 cases are once again on rise in the US and UK, fueled by a new mutated ‘Stratus‘ or XFG variant, first detected in March. Now this dominant variant has taken over from NB.1.8.1, also known as the Nimbus variant, which was previously in circulation.
As of 9/1/2025 the CDC website was still recommending that those over 65 get the 2024-2025 Covid Vaccine series. With so much turmoil in the CDC it might be wise to get your vaccine ASAP while Medicare still covers it.
Covid-19 is evolving fast, becoming more infectious but milder with each variant. The virus that once sparked a global pandemic and caused widespread illness is still around but now causes fewer hospitalizations. While lockdowns are a thing of the past, the virus may still impact people silently, with long Covid symptoms lasting for up to two years after infection, according to the Nature journal. The journey of Covid from 2020-2025 has been dramatic to say the least as the virus transformed from the deadly Delta to the much milder Omicron variants, thanks to vaccination and immunity from the past waves.
In 2025, Covid is milder, often resembling a cold or heat-related respiratory illness, with less drastic symptoms than in earlier years. Variants continue evolving, adding distinct features like hoarseness, razor-blade sore throat, or severe fatigue. Thanks to vaccination and immunity from past waves, severe illness and hospitalizations are significantly reduced—even as the virus circulates anew.
Strains circulating in the US and India
In the US XFG (Stratus) and NB.1.8.1 (Nimbus) have become the dominant strains and trigger summer outbreaks with high transmissibility but reduced severity. In India, the NB.1.8.1 (also known as Nimbus), LF.7 and emerging XFG strains are common and lead to occasional upsurges despite a large proportion of the population having immunity. New modified vaccines against these variants have been recommended, adds the expert.
Stratus (XFG): Presents with fever, cough, fatigue, sore throat, loss of taste/smell, plus hoarseness; some patients report chest pain or difficulty staying awake.
Nimbus (NB.1.8.1): Known for the notorious ‘razor-blade’ sore throat, alongside typical symptoms like fever, cough, body aches, congestion; sometimes GI issues.
If you have any additional compromising health issues, you should consult with your own physician for recommendations on the Covid vaccine as well as any other vaccines that they would strongly recommend. Do it now!