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Some people in China are reporting severe sore throat with COVID infections right now. apomares via Getty Images<\/p>\n
A positive COVID-19<\/a> test result is not something that anyone wants to see \u2014 but now there may be an extra reason to avoid getting sick.<\/p>\n COVID infections cause miserable symptoms such as fever, fatigue, congestion and more. Now, though, some people infected with COVID in China are reporting<\/a>\u00a0a very sore throat that\u2019s been nicknamed \u201crazor blade throat.\u201d<\/p>\n Related: The ‘Stratus’ COVID Variant Is On The Rise \u2014 Here Are The Most Common Signs And Symptoms<\/a><\/p>\n According to Google trends data, people throughout the U.S. are now, too, worried about this scary-sounding symptom and are searching for things like \u201cnew covid variant painful symptom\u201d and \u201ccovid razor throat.\u201d<\/p>\n Just how worried do you need to be about a super-painful sore throat during a COVID infection? Below, doctors weigh in on the supposed \u201crazor blade\u201d sore throat symptom:<\/p>\n Some people with COVID are reporting a \u201crazor blade throat,\u201d but you don\u2019t need to panic. It\u2019s nothing new.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the past, as new variants have come on the scene, there almost invariably have been questions about distinctive symptoms, and after a while, when you gather a lot of data, turns out not to be the case \u2014 all of these symptoms have occurred before,\u201d said\u00a0Dr. William Schaffner<\/a>, a professor of preventive medicine in the department of health policy at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee.<\/p>\n Meaning, the circulating COVID variants tend to produce the same sort of symptoms and disease as the ones from years ago, Schaffner added. \u201cAlthough the more recent variants, these omicron variants, are less severe,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Related: 10 Everyday Habits That Are Harming Your Longevity The Most<\/a><\/p>\n A very sore throat isn\u2019t specific to the circulating COVID variants, said Dr. Carrie Horn<\/a>, the chief medical officer and chief of the division of hospital and internal medicine at National Jewish Health in Colorado. Instead, it\u2019s a symptom that has been associated with COVID infections for a while, Horn said.<\/p>\n Schaffner had not heard of the \u201crazor blade\u201d sore throat symptom particularly, but has heard of people having a severe sore throat with COVID infections.<\/p>\n While some people can have a very sore throat that could be described as razor-like, it doesn\u2019t mean it\u2019s going to happen to everyone \u2014 and it also isn\u2019t some new, scary symptom that is associated with new COVID infections.<\/p>\n There is not one outstanding COVID symptom that marks an infection, said Dr. Mark Burns<\/a>, an infectious disease expert at UofL Health in Louisville, Kentucky. \u201cA sore throat is a symptom of this, but also fever and cough and fatigue, these are all symptoms as well,\u201d Burns added.<\/p>\n Related: The Most Common COVID Symptoms Doctors Are Seeing This Summer<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cTo sum it all up, the symptoms, including sore throat, are really no different. There\u2019s no increased intensity based on sore throat or anything like that,\u201d added Burns.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s how you can protect yourself from a COVID infection:<\/p>\n COVID tends to surge twice a year \u2014 once in the winter and once in the mid-to-late summer, Schaffner said.\u00a0Doctors recommend getting the COVID shot to prevent severe disease, particularly if you\u2019re 65 or older or have an underlying medical condition. The eligibility of who can get this year\u2019s vaccine and the availability of the shot is currently murky, so check your state health department\u2019s current requirements and permissions.<\/p>\n Wearing a mask in indoor spaces, social distancing, washing your hands often and increasing ventilation when possible are more ways to protect yourself from COVID and other respiratory viruses, too, said Burns.<\/p>\n If you do get sick, there are treatments available.<\/p>\n If you have any COVID symptoms, such as sore throat, fatigue, cough or fever, take a test to see if you have COVID. If you are infected, get in touch with your doctor, particularly if you\u2019re high-risk as there are treatments available, said Schaffner.<\/p>\n Related: More And More People Suffer From ‘Chemophobia’ \u2014 And MAHA Is Partly To Blame<\/a><\/p>\n It\u2019s important that you talk to your primary care provider as the guidance will vary depending on your age, underlying conditions and other risk factors.<\/p>\n COVID is a miserable infection, Horn added. \u201cOver-the-counter meds help \u2014 Ibuprofen alternating with Tylenol, if you\u2019re able to take those … there\u2019s no reason to be miserable,\u201d Horn said. \u201cSo, take the medicine that you are able to take to help,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n It\u2019s also important to stay hydrated when you\u2019re sick even if you do have a painful sore throat. A sore throat can make hydration feel like more of a chore, but it\u2019s important to drink water and herbal teas as dehydration can further irritate the dry membranes in your throat, Horn said.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you are sick, it\u2019s best to keep your germs to yourself,\u201d said Horn. This means canceling the dinner plans, not going to the party and calling out of work if you can \u2014 if you can\u2019t, wearing a tight-fitting mask is key, Horn added.<\/p>\n