An expert has urged Covid sufferers to avoid one popular home remedy when treating a ‘unusual’ symptom of the new Stratus variant, as it might not be very effective
Scientists have urged people to ditch the honey and lemon in favour of a research-backed appliance that can help combat a major symptom of the new Covid strain sweeping the UK.
Stratus, which consists two sub-variants XFG and XFG. 3, is the most common Covid type in the country, with Nimbus (NB.1.8.1) also still spreading.
Discussing the two strains on This Morning earlier this week, Dr Sara Kayat explained that “cases are rising” as with many other respiratory illnesses during this time of year. She said Stratus has been accounting for around 63 per cent of cases, while Nimbus has been accounting for around 25 per cent of cases.
READ MORE: Covid Stratus warning as ITV’s Dr Sara explains two ‘telltale’ symptoms of new variantREAD MORE: Key differences between Covid Nimbus and Stratus variants as doctor issues warning
Stratus was initially identified in January 2025 and has since spread across various areas of the country. Specialists have since identified a ‘unique’ symptom that Covid sufferers are likely to experience with the new strain.
Echoing the guidance of other experts, Dr Sara revealed that the two telltale signs to look out for are “mainly a hoarse voice and a kind of razor blade type of sharp sort throat.” She added that these can come with additional symptoms such as “headaches, coughing, a runny nose or a blocked nose.”
If you’ve got Covid and are struggling with a hoarse voice and sharp throat pains, you might be tempted to make yourself a hot tea with honey to ease the discomfort.
While this may offer some short-term relief, experts have warned that there isn’t actually any medical evidence to back this home remedy up when it comes to soothing these symptoms, which are similar to laryngitis.
Sandra Rojas, a speech pathologist and expert in voice disorders, told The Conversation: “Home remedies like salt water gargles and tea with honey are mostly harmless, although there’s no evidence they work for fixing laryngitis.
“If you have a sore throat, they might temporarily alleviate some of this pain. But they definitely won’t reduce the roughness, hoarseness or ‘breathiness’ of your voice.”
Instead she suggest a humidifier as a more ‘effective’ option that is backed by scientific research. The appliance helps by keeping your vocal folds “hydrated” and in turn reduces the hoareness of your voice.
“Because the tiny water droplets in humidified air are inhaled rather than swallowed, they can bypass the epiglottis and have direct contact with our vocal folds,” she explains.
Current data doesn’t suggest that Stratus or Nimbus cause more serious disease compared to other circulating strains. Current vaccines continue to deliver effective protection against severe illness.
The WHO also shared: “It’s normal for viruses to mutate and change, and as more data becomes available on these variants we’ll have a better understanding of how they interact with our immune systems and how to optimise our protection, as well as actions we can take to keep the most vulnerable safe and live our lives as normally as possible. The most important thing is for those eligible to get their vaccination when it is due.”