The Brief Painful symptoms caused by a new COVID-19 variant has led to a new nickname: "razor blade throat Covid." A new COVID-19 variant spreading in some parts of the world has been nicknamed "razor blade throat" because of its painful symptoms. ‘Razor blade throat’ COVIDWhat we know:In addition to a painful sore throat, symptoms of the new variant are just like any variant: fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath or loss of taste or smell. What we don't know:It’s unclear how much the new variant has spread in the U.S.Are COVID-19 vaccines effective against the new variant? Health experts say current COVID-19 vaccines should still be effective against Nimbus.