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- COVID-19 NB.1.8.1 variant symptoms
- High-risk groups of COVID-19
- What to do if infected with COVID-19
- How to prevent COVID-19
- COVID-19 Testing and Treatments at MedPark Hospital
COVID
The dominant COVID-19 variant spreading in Thailand from January 1, 2026, to the present is the Nimbus variant (NB.1.8.1), an Omicron subvariant, accounting for 50.95% of cases. The highest number of infections is among children aged 0-4 years, followed by the working-age groups of 30-39 years and 20-29 years. There are a cumulative total of 99,691 cases and 15 deaths, the majority of which are among those aged 40-60 and above who have underlying health conditions.
The key characteristics of the COVID-19 NB.1.8.1 variant are that it is highly contagious, spreads rapidly, and is better at evading immunity due to multiple mutations in the spike protein. Most infected individuals do not experience severe symptoms, as they present like the common cold or flu. However, if a patient experiences shortness of breath, chest tightness, lethargy, or a rapid deterioration in their condition, they should seek immediate medical attention at a hospital.
COVID-19 NB.1.8.1 variant symptoms
The symptoms of the COVID-19 NB.1.8.1 variant are similar to those of common respiratory illnesses, but a major distinguishing sign is a sharp sore throat, often described as a razor-blade-like sore throat, especially during the early stages of infection. Accompanying symptoms include:
- Fever, chills
- Dry cough, persistent cough without phlegm
- Sore throat, a razor-blade-like sore throat
- Nasal congestion and runny nose
- Muscle aches
- Fatigue and exhaustion
- Headache
- Nausea, vomiting (in some cases)
- Diarrhea (in some cases)
- Loss of taste or smell (in some cases)
Anyone experiencing the above symptoms should self-isolate, avoid close contact with others, get adequate rest, and wear a protective face mask if going out in public. They should also promptly take an ATK test (antigen test kit); IF THE RESULT IS POSITIVE, immediately seek medical attention at a hospital for further diagnosis.
High-risk groups of COVID-19
The high-risk or vulnerable groups need to be monitored if infected with COVID-19, as they may experience severe symptoms, including:
- The high-risk or vulnerable group that requires close monitoring for COVID-19 risk includes:
- Pregnant mothers at 12 weeks or more of gestation (the vaccine is safe for vaccination)
- All young children aged 6 months to 4 years (children under 1 year old have the highest infection rate)
- Elderly individuals aged 60 years and older
- Individuals with low immunity / immunocompromised
- Individuals with obesity, weighing over 100 kg, or having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of more than 35 kg/m²
- Patients with 7 common chronic conditions: chronic respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, stroke, obesity, and cancer
NOTE: Pregnant mothers vaccinated against COVID-19 can pass on immunity to their newborns for up to 6 months after birth.
What to do if infected with COVID-19
Those who have a positive ATK test result (2 lines on control (C) and test (T)), indicating COVID-19 infection, should take the following steps:
- Go to a hospital to confirm the COVID-19 infection and receive a comprehensive diagnosis.
- Isolate yourself at home and avoid contact with others or pets.
- Wear a protective face mask if you must be around others.
- Practice self-care and monitor your symptoms closely: Patients with mild symptoms typically recover within 7–10 days.
- Receive antiviral treatment. For high-risk groups infected with the COVID-19 NB.1.8.1 or other variants—such as the elderly, young children, and patients with 7 common chronic conditions—promptly take them to a hospital to receive appropriate antiviral medications: Remdesivir, Molnupiravir, or Paxlovid.
Paxlovid is endorsed and recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a first-line defense for high-risk COVID-19 due to its high efficacy against COVID-19 NB.1.8.1 and other Omicron subvariants. With no reported drug resistance to date, it is considered the best treatment option. The medications are most effective when administered within 2–3 days of symptom onset or during the early stages of infection.
How to prevent COVID-19
The prevention measures for COVID-19 are as follows:
- Get vaccinated against COVID-19.
- Get a booster dose to keep your immunity current.
- Wear a surgical mask or cloth mask correctly when in public spaces.
- Avoid crowded and poorly ventilated areas.
- Keep a distance when in public areas.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap or alcohol gel.
- Stay in a well-ventilated area to reduce the density of the virus in the air.
If you have suspected symptoms, follow the Department of Disease Control's recommendation: "Stay Home When Sick, Minimize Close Contact."
COVID-19 Testing and Treatments at MedPark Hospital
MedPark Hospital, Bangkok, provides COVID-19 testing and other respiratory viral infection testing 24 hours a day with RT-PCR testing, ATK testing (antigen test), or other tests by a team of experienced specialists who are experts in common infectious diseases and acute respiratory infections, drug-resistant infections, or emerging infectious diseases. With ISO 15189 and ISO 15190 certified clinical laboratories and state-of-the-art MALDI-TOF technology, aid in analyzing and identifying microorganisms and reporting test results accurately, rapidly, and precisely within 20 minutes. MedPark is also equipped with ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) units for patients with severe heart or lung failure, operated under the close supervision of a team of infectious disease clinic specialists and multidisciplinary clinical staff working in collaboration for 24 hours to provide the most effective treatment for COVID-19, enabling patients a chance to recover from diseases and resume their normal state of life.
FAQ
1. How long does it take to recover from COVID 19 NB.1.8.1?
Most COVID-19 NB.1.8.1 patients have mild symptoms and recover on their own within 5–7 days with proper home care. However, if COVID-19 NB.1.8.1 symptoms do not improve within 3–5 days, or if there is a persistent high fever, difficulty breathing, or if they are in a high-risk group, promptly take them to the hospital for diagnostic testing to differentiate symptoms from influenza and quickly receive COVID-19 antiviral drugs or other appropriate medications.