Just when the world had begun to settle into post-pandemic normalcy, a new COVID-19 variant has entered the spotlight—Stratus, a name now making headlines across the UK. If you haven’t heard of it yet, you will. Stratus, specifically its XFG and XFG.3 sub-variants, is spreading quickly and has prompted health experts to take notice.

There’s no reason to panic. The variant isn’t known to cause more severe illness or to evade current vaccines. But it is worth understanding, especially as COVID continues to evolve and resurface in new forms. The story of Stratus offers insight not just into the virus itself, but how we’ve learned to live alongside it—through better surveillance, faster response, and smarter precautions.

What Is the Stratus Variant?

Stratus is not a completely new virus—it’s a descendant of the Omicron lineage, already known for its ability to spread easily while generally causing milder illness than earlier strains like Delta.

More specifically, Stratus is what experts call a “recombinant” strain, formed when someone is infected with two variants at once and those variants mix their genetic material. This gives Stratus its nickname: the “Frankenstein” variant. There are two types of Stratus in circulation:

XFG

XFG.3, a spin-off which currently accounts for about 30% of COVID-19 cases in England, up from just 10% in May, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

Because of its rapid spread, the World Health Organization (WHO) has classified XFG as a "variant under monitoring", urging global surveillance.

What Makes Stratus Variant Different From Other COVID Strains?

Though most symptoms of COVID haven’t changed much with each variant, Stratus may come with a new, unusual symptom: a hoarse voice.

According to some UK-based clinicians, patients infected with XFG and XFG.3 have reported hoarseness more frequently. This could be a result of the strain’s impact on the upper respiratory tract, particularly the vocal cords but here’s the thing: this is not yet a definitive diagnostic marker. Hoarseness alone doesn’t confirm infection, and not everyone with Stratus reports it. Like other variants, symptoms remain largely dependent on the person’s immune response, vaccination status, and pre-existing conditions.

What Are the Unique COVID Symptoms of Stratus?

While Stratus may bring hoarseness into the conversation, the core symptoms of COVID remain largely the same. According to the NHS and UKHSA, people infected with Stratus may experience:

• High temperature or chills
• Persistent cough
• Shortness of breath
• Loss or change in taste or smell
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Muscle aches
• Sore throat
• Nasal congestion or runny nose
• Loss of appetite
• Diarrhea or nausea

These symptoms also overlap with seasonal flu and allergies, making it difficult to identify the variant without testing. What makes Stratus stand out so far is its hoarseness, which might be more pronounced than in previous infections.

Is Stratus COVID Variant More Dangerous?

The WHO and UKHSA have both made it clear: there’s no current evidence that Stratus leads to more severe illness, higher hospitalization rates, or death compared to other Omicron subvariants.

Dr. Alex Allen, a consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, explained that there is no indication vaccines are less effective against Stratus. In fact, immunity—whether from vaccines, previous infection, or both—continues to offer protection, especially against serious outcomes.

It’s also worth noting that hospital admissions and case rates in the UK have been trending downward, despite the rise of Stratus. As of late June, COVID hospitalizations in England dropped from 1.46 per 100,000 to 0.99 per 100,000.

This suggests that while XFG and XFG.3 are spreading fast, they may not be driving a significant wave of severe disease.

Why Is Stratus Being Monitored?

Even though it isn’t more dangerous right now, Stratus is spreading quickly—and that alone is enough reason to monitor it closely.

The WHO notes that XFG exhibits “marginal additional immune evasion” compared to previously circulating strains. In plain terms: it might slip past some parts of the immune system, but not enough to trigger alarm bells. Still, it has been seen in multiple countries, especially in South-East Asia, where some upticks in hospitalizations have occurred.

That doesn’t mean we’re on the brink of another global surge. It does mean that global health systems remain vigilant, especially as colder months approach in the Northern Hemisphere.

How to Protect Yourself from New COVID Variants?

No matter the strain—whether it’s Delta, Omicron, or now Stratus—the same precautions still apply:

• Stay up to date on vaccinations, including boosters recommended by your local health authority.
• Test when symptomatic, especially if you’re at high risk or around vulnerable individuals.
• Practice good hygiene: wash your hands, cover your cough, and sanitize high-touch surfaces.
• Wear a mask in crowded indoor spaces if transmission is high in your area.
• Take hoarseness seriously if it appears alongside other symptoms—especially if you’ve had recent exposure.

You might be asking: If Stratus isn’t more deadly, why should I care? Here’s why. Pandemics don’t end with a bang—they evolve quietly. Variants like Stratus remind us that SARS-CoV-2 is still adapting, and we need to stay informed even when things seem calm. By recognizing symptoms early, getting tested, and staying up to date on guidance, we help protect not only ourselves but the most vulnerable among us.

So no, Stratus isn’t a reason to panic but it is a reason to pay attention because COVID hasn’t disappeared—it’s just changed its voice.

John Roberts, a 68-year-old anchor for Fox News, is currently in the hospital battling a serious case of malaria. Roberts shared with PEOPLE magazine that he was diagnosed on Monday, August 25. He believes he contracted the illness during a vacation in Indonesia.

According to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention, US reports 2000 malaria cases a year with an average of 7 deaths per year since 2007-2022. What’s surprising is that 95% of these cases happen to be people who did not take malaria prevention medication.

What Symptoms Did John Roberts Experience?

Roberts described his symptoms as starting about 10 days after he returned from his trip. He felt pain all over his body, as he explained “from head to toe” and experienced uncontrollable shivering while on air. Initially, he thought it was just the flu, but knew it was serious when blood tests showed his white blood cells and platelets were very low.

Upon being officially diagnosed in the emergency room, Roberts admitted he was "a little scared," recognizing that malaria can be deadly if not treated. He said he has never felt this sick in his life.

What Is The First Symptom Of Malaria?

Stanford University explains that In the beginning, malaria can feel a lot like the flu. Symptoms might not seem unique, as they are similar to many other common illnesses. The most typical symptoms of malaria include:

• Fever
• Chills
• Headache
• Sweating
• Fatigue or feeling very tired
• Nausea and vomiting
• Body aches
• A general feeling of being sick

How severe these symptoms are can depend on your age, overall health, and the type of malaria parasite you have. In some cases, people who have been infected many times might have few or even no symptoms at all.

While most people recover, in rare cases, malaria can become very serious. It can lead to problems with the brain or spinal cord, seizures, or a loss of consciousness. The most severe types of malaria can even be deadly.

How Long Does It Take For Malaria Symptoms To Appear?

Symptoms usually show up anywhere from 7 to 30 days after you are infected. However, for some types of malaria, you might not feel sick for many months, and in rare cases, up to a year after being exposed. The time it takes for symptoms to appear can also be longer if you have taken medicine to prevent the infection. Additionally, if you have had malaria before, your symptoms might be less severe.

How Was John Roberts Treated?

Roberts has been treated with IV artesunate, a powerful medication used for severe cases of malaria. He describes his recovery as a series of "up and down" days, with his body temperature swinging from shivering cold to sweating.

Roberts is the only malaria patient in his hospital, and one of his doctors said it was the first case he had ever seen. A person’s malaria treatment depends on a few things like,

• Whether it's for prevention or to treat an active infection.
• Your health, age, and if you are pregnant.
• How sick you are.
• If the malaria parasite is resistant to certain medicines.
• The possible side effects of the medicine.
• People who need special care include pregnant women, children, the elderly, and those with other health problems.

How Is Severe Malaria Treated?

In very serious cases of malaria, a special procedure called an exchange blood transfusion may be used. This is the fastest way to get rid of the parasites. During this procedure, blood is taken from you while you receive new blood from a donor, along with malaria medicine.

If you are traveling to a remote area without easy access to medical care, your doctor might give you medicine to carry with you. You will get instructions on how to use it if you start showing malaria symptoms. This is a temporary solution, and you should still get to a doctor as soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours.

From January next year, parents in England and Wales will have one less health worry on their checklist. The NHS is rolling out the chickenpox vaccine for free to all young children. Administered in two doses at 12 and 18 months, the jab will be paired with the existing MMR vaccine that already shields kids from measles, mumps and rubella.

The move also comes with a catch-up programme for slightly older children, ensuring no one misses out. It is a win not just for health but also for households and the economy, with chickenpox costing the UK around £24 million annually in lost workdays and productivity.

What is Chickenpox?

The virus behind it is the varicella-zoster, which spreads faster than playground gossip. It triggers an itchy rash, dotted with small blisters and often accompanied by fever, fatigue and general misery.

The rash, however, shows up 10 to 21 days after exposure and lasts about a week. And you can spread the virus even before the rash is evident and until every blister has dried out. That means kids can be carriers long before anyone realises.

Also Read: 'RFK Is Weaponizing Public Health': White House Sacks US CDC Director Susan Monarez Amid Vaccine Cuts

Why the Vaccine is a Game-Changer

For most children, chickenpox is unpleasant but manageable. But in some cases, the virus does not play fair. Pregnant women, very young babies and adults are especially vulnerable. Complications can include pneumonia, encephalitis (brain swelling), bacterial infections, and in rare instances, even stroke. It sounds dramatic because it can be.

And let us not forget the dreaded shingles. Once you have had chickenpox, the virus hibernates in your nerve cells, waiting for years to reactivate. When it does, it emerges as shingles, a painful and sometimes long-lasting condition that haunts adults. By vaccinating children, the NHS is not just preventing itchy rashes; it is reducing future risks of shingles too.

Symptoms Worth Spotting

Chickenpox has a very distinct three stages:

• Red bumps called papules make their debut.
• Those bumps turn into fluid-filled blisters, which eventually burst.
• Scabs form and healing begins.

To complicate matters, new spots appear over several days, so your child may look like they are juggling different skin stages at once.

Who is at Risk?

Anyone who has not had chickenpox or the vaccine is fair game. The risk is higher for people working in schools, nurseries or any place where germs travel in packs. The virus can spread through direct contact with the rash or even via droplets from a cough or sneeze.

But if you have been vaccinated and still catch chickenpox, the symptoms are typically much milder: fewer blisters, less fever and a quicker recovery.

Complications That Keep Doctors on Their Toes

While chickenpox is usually mild, the potential complications are no joke. These include:

• Infected skin or bloodstream
• Dehydration
• Pneumonia
• Encephalitis
• Toxic shock syndrome
• Reye’s syndrome (when children take aspirin during infection)

Such risks say why the vaccine is not just a convenience but a lifesaver.

Tackling Falling Vaccination Rates

The chickenpox announcement also comes at a crucial time. Uptake of existing childhood vaccines in England is slipping. In 2024/25, none hit the 95 per cent target, with MMR uptake hovering at 91.9 per cent among five-year-olds—the lowest since 2010/11. Adding chickenpox protection to the routine schedule could help remind parents of the importance of immunisation.

Why Parents Should Welcome This Move

Chickenpox may sound like a rite of passage, but in reality, it is an unpredictable infection that can disrupt households, put vulnerable people at risk and occasionally turn dangerous. With the vaccine, parents can skip the sleepless nights of itch relief lotions, the endless laundry of pus-stained sheets and the nervous waiting for complications to pass.

Starting on September 1, 2025, the NHS in the UK is expanding who can get the shingles vaccine. The program now includes all adults aged 18 and older who have a very weak immune system. This change aims to protect about 300,000 more people from the painful and serious problems shingles can cause.

This decision came from a group of experts called the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). They found that younger adults with weak immune systems face a similar risk of getting so sick from shingles that they need to go to the hospital, just like older adults who were already getting the vaccine.

Dr. Amanda Doyle from NHS England says the vaccine is safe and works well. She explains that it greatly lowers the chance of getting shingles and becoming seriously ill. She encourages anyone who is now eligible to get vaccinated as soon as possible, even if they have had shingles before, since you can get it more than once.

Who Is Now Eligible for Shingles Vaccine?

Shingles is caused by the same virus as chickenpox, and it can cause a very painful rash. For most people, it's not a serious illness, but it can lead to problems like long-lasting nerve pain, eye issues, or even more serious infections like pneumonia.

The new group of people who can get the vaccine includes those with conditions like leukemia or lymphoma, or those going through chemotherapy. These individuals are at a much higher risk of getting very sick if they get shingles. The NHS will start contacting eligible patients soon, but you can also book an appointment through your doctor's office.

How Long Does Shingles Vaccine Work?

According to the Harvard Health, the Center of Disease Control and Prevention recommends that adults aged 50 and older get two doses of the Shingrix vaccine to prevent shingles. A 2024 study by Annals of Internal Medicine, looked at how well this vaccine works over time, and the results are very promising.

The study, which included almost two million people, found that the two-dose vaccine was still 73% effective at preventing shingles four years later. This shows that the vaccine provides long-lasting protection.

However, the study also highlighted the importance of getting both doses. People who only received one dose saw their protection drop quickly after the first year, with the vaccine being only 52% effective after three years. This makes it clear why getting the second shot is so important.

What If You're Late for the Second Shot?

If you miss the recommended two-to-six-month window for your second dose, don't worry—it's not too late. The study found that delaying the second dose beyond six months did not make the vaccine less effective. You should get your second dose as soon as you can to ensure you have full, long-lasting protection.

The study also found that the vaccine worked slightly better for people who got their shots before age 65 compared to those who were vaccinated later in life.

When Do You Need Shingles Shot?

Different countries have different guidelines, while CDC recommends people above 50 get vaccinated as well as adults aged 19 and older who have a weakened immune system should also get two doses to protect themselves.

In the UK, the shingles vaccine, called Shingrix, was previously given to people aged 65 to 79 and those with a very weak immune system who were 50 or older. However, following advice from a group of experts, this is changing.

Starting next week, all adults aged 18 and over with a very weak immune system will be able to get the vaccine. This is because the experts found that these younger adults face the same high risk of severe illness or long-lasting nerve pain from shingles as the groups who were already eligible.