A British woman has come forward with a chilling account of her experience with the latest COVID-19 variant, describing symptoms she claims are dramatically more severe than previous strains.
Chloe, a 31-year-old from the Midlands, thought she knew what to expect from COVID after battling the virus twice before. However, her recent infection with the new FLiRT variant left her completely debilitated.
'Worst Illness Of My Life'
"This was unlike anything I've experienced before," Chloe revealed. "The fatigue was so overwhelming I couldn't get out of bed for days. The body aches felt like I'd been hit by a truck, and the sore throat was excruciating - like swallowing glass."
Symptoms That Set This Variant Apart
Medical experts are noting distinct characteristics with the latest COVID strains circulating in the UK:
- Severe sore throat described as "razor blade" sensation
- Overwhelming fatigue lasting weeks
- Intense body aches and muscle pain
- Persistent cough that disrupts sleep
- Headaches resistant to normal pain relief
Why This Strain Feels Different
Professor of immunology, Dr Sarah Jarvis, explains: "The virus continues to evolve, and with each mutation, we see slight changes in how it affects the human body. The current dominant strains appear to cause more upper respiratory symptoms, which explains the severe sore throats many are reporting."
Protecting Yourself Amid The Surge
With cases rising across the country, health officials recommend:
- Ensuring you're up to date with COVID boosters
- Practising good hand hygiene
- Considering masks in crowded indoor spaces
- Staying home when experiencing symptoms
- Ventilating rooms when socialising indoors
The NHS continues to monitor the situation closely as the new variants demonstrate increased transmissibility, though early data suggests similar severity to recent strains.
