Loss of voice as a symptom of the new strain of COVID-19: individuals at risk

A new strain of coronavirus, Stratus, is spreading in Ukraine and can affect the vocal cords, posing a danger to older people.

Doctor Vita Oleshchenko said this during a TV program.

The expert noted that at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, it caused numerous complications, including pneumonia and cytokine storms, leading to breathing problems and decreased oxygen levels in the blood. Among the common symptoms were also the loss of taste and smell.

Today, the main symptom of the new strain is the loss of voice. “Stratus” affects the vocal cords, causing them to swell and leading to hoarseness and difficulty breathing through the vocal cords, the doctor added.

Oleshchenko also emphasized that this strain usually has mild symptoms and is not accompanied by high fever or significant body aches, unlike previous strains. However, even if the disease is mild, an infected person can pose a threat to the elderly and young children, in whom symptoms may manifest in a more severe form.

The virus continues to evolve. From 2020 to 2025, more than 20 mutations were noted, and the combination with other respiratory infections, such as influenza, can complicate the course of the disease.

Meanwhile, the press has already reported on the WHO’s concerns about possible epidemics of deadly infections, as well as the fact that conventional medications may not help with regular headaches for various reasons.