Is your ‘razor blade’ sore throat Cicada COVID or strep? We asked a UNC doctor

Recent COVID-19 variants, including the Cicada variant, have been associated with a sharp throat ache, sometimes called “razor blade throat.”

However, the symptoms are still similar to previous iterations, and other illnesses.

“This variant, like others, does not lead to COVID-19 symptoms being much different or more severe disease. These variants are evolving to become more transmittable and evade our immune systems defenses,” Dr. David Wohl, an infectious diseases expert with UNC Health, said in a statement through spokesperson Alan Wolf.

It can be hard to differentiate between COVID-19 infections and other viral infections like influenza. The best option is to test. Testing will not tell you what variant of COVID-19 you have.

Possible COVID-19 symptoms according to the CDC include:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• New loss of taste or smell
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• Nausea or vomiting

Razorblade throat pains are associated with newer COVID-19 variants like Cicada (BA.3.2) and Nimbus (NB.1.8.1). This was not as characteristic of earlier strains.

Other viral illnesses can have very similar symptoms, including more severe throat pains.

Throat pain is also a possible indicator of strep throat, which is a bacterial infection. Like the flu and COVID-19, you confirm strep by testing. If the severe throat pain symptoms are explained by a positive strep test, a patient starts antibiotics. Antibiotics are not effective against Cicada variant or the flu, as they are viral.

To treat pain from a sore throat due to COVID-19 infection

• Hot or cold drinks, depending on personal preference
• Over-the-counter pain medication, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen
• Gargle saltwater
• Antivirals for COVID-19, though they don’t specifically treat the throat

The length of a sore throat from COVID-19 varies, as do other symptoms. Contact a healthcare provider if you see no improvements.

Eva Flowe

The Charlotte Observer

Eva Flowe is a North Carolina native and a graduate of the University of South Carolina. She joined the Charlotte Observer as part of the NC service journalism team in April 2026.