What Are the Weird Symptoms of the New COVID Variant?
Most people know the classic signs of COVID: fever, cough, sore throat. But the latest variant, XBB.1.16 - nicknamed "Arcturus" - is showing up with symptoms that feel like something out of a sci-fi movie. People in London, Sydney, and even Wellington are reporting strange new reactions that don’t match the old playbook. If you’ve been feeling off lately and can’t explain why, it might not be just a cold. It could be this variant.
Itchy Eyes and Red Eyes Are Now Common
One of the weirdest symptoms showing up in dozens of case reports is conjunctivitis - red, itchy, watery eyes. Not just a little irritation. Some people wake up with their eyelids stuck shut from discharge. Others say their eyes burn like they’ve been staring at a screen for 12 hours straight. This wasn’t a major symptom in earlier strains. But in early 2025, the UK Health Security Agency confirmed that over 30% of XBB.1.16 cases included eye symptoms. It’s so common now that some doctors are asking patients: "Have your eyes been acting up?" before even checking for a cough.
Sudden Loss of Taste… But Only for Sweet Things
Taste loss isn’t new. But this time, it’s selective. People are losing the ability to taste sugar - not salt, not sour, not bitter. Coffee tastes like ash. Chocolate turns bland. A woman in Manchester told her GP she couldn’t tell the difference between plain toast and a donut. She thought she was going crazy. Blood tests ruled out diabetes. A throat swab confirmed XBB.1.16. This odd pattern - sweet taste distortion - is being studied by neurologists at Imperial College London. It might be linked to how the virus affects specific taste receptors tied to glucose sensors in the tongue. It’s rare, but it’s real.
"COVID Toes" Are Back… But Now They Glow Under UV Light
Back in 2020, "COVID toes" - purple or red swellings on fingers and toes - were a weird sign of infection. Now, in 2025, some patients are reporting something even stranger: their skin glows faintly under UV light. Not a lot. Just a soft blue-white shimmer on the knuckles or soles of feet. Dermatologists in London have seen it in at least 17 confirmed cases. The glow isn’t from infection alone. It’s linked to a specific protein the variant produces that reacts with melanin in the skin. It’s harmless. But it’s unmistakable. One man in Brighton showed up at his dermatologist’s office because his foot "looked like it was lit from inside." He thought he’d been exposed to a chemical.
Brain Fog That Feels Like a Computer Crash
Brain fog has been a long-COVID staple. But this variant’s version is different. It’s not just forgetfulness. It’s like your brain freezes mid-task. You walk into a room and forget why. You start typing an email and your fingers stop moving. You can’t recall your own password - even though you’ve used it daily for years. Neuroscientists at University College London found that XBB.1.16 triggers a stronger inflammatory response in the brain’s prefrontal cortex than earlier strains. That’s the part that handles focus and decision-making. One patient described it as "a buffering icon that never goes away." It lasts days, sometimes weeks. And unlike earlier versions, it hits younger adults - people in their 20s and 30s - just as hard as older folks.
Unexplained Muscle Twitches and Jerks
Imagine your arm jerks without you telling it to. Or your eyelid spasms for no reason. Or your foot kicks out while you’re sitting still. These aren’t stress twitches. They’re sudden, involuntary, and often rhythmic. Over 120 cases have been logged in Europe and Australia since March 2025. Neurologists call them "myoclonic jerks." They’re not dangerous, but they’re alarming. One nurse in Edinburgh said she’d been having them for three weeks - so bad she couldn’t hold a coffee cup. Blood work showed no electrolyte issues. No nerve damage. Just a positive test for XBB.1.16. The cause? The virus appears to briefly interfere with the signals between nerves and muscles. It fades as the infection clears, but it can last longer than the fever.
Why Do These Symptoms Happen?
It’s not magic. It’s evolution. XBB.1.16 is a descendant of the Omicron family, but it’s mutated in ways that let it stick to different cells. Earlier variants mostly targeted the upper airway. This one also binds to receptors in the eyes, skin, and even nerve endings in the tongue. That’s why symptoms are showing up in places they never did before. It’s not more deadly. But it’s sneakier. It doesn’t always make you feel sick right away. Sometimes, it just makes you feel… off. And that’s when people miss it.
What Should You Do If You Have These Symptoms?
If you’ve got red eyes, sudden sweet taste loss, glowing skin patches, brain freezes, or unexplained muscle jerks - and you’ve been around someone who’s sick - get tested. Don’t wait for a fever. Don’t assume it’s allergies. Rapid antigen tests still catch XBB.1.16. If you test positive, rest. Hydrate. Avoid crowds. These symptoms aren’t life-threatening, but they can be debilitating. And you don’t want to pass it on to someone who’s vulnerable.
Is This the New Normal?
Maybe. Viruses don’t stop changing. Each new variant tweaks how it interacts with our bodies. XBB.1.16 isn’t the last weird one. But it’s the first to make us rethink what "symptoms" even mean. The days of just watching for fever and cough are over. Your body is giving you more clues than ever - if you know what to look for. Pay attention to the small things. The weird things. The things that make you say, "That’s not right."
Are these weird symptoms dangerous?
No, these symptoms aren’t life-threatening on their own. But they can be disruptive. Glowing skin, muscle jerks, and taste changes usually fade within a week or two. The real risk is spreading the virus to others before you realize you’re infected. If symptoms last longer than 10 days or get worse, see a doctor - not because it’s dangerous, but because it might signal another issue.
Can I get these symptoms even if I’m vaccinated?
Yes. Vaccines still protect against severe illness and hospitalization, but they don’t block infection entirely - especially with newer variants like XBB.1.16. The weird symptoms are more common in people who’ve had prior infections or boosters. That’s because the immune system reacts differently after repeated exposure. It’s not a sign the vaccine failed. It’s just how this variant behaves now.
Why are these symptoms showing up in London first?
London doesn’t have more cases - it just has better surveillance. The UK has one of the most detailed genomic tracking systems in the world. They sequence more samples than most countries. That means they spot unusual patterns faster. Similar symptoms are now being reported in Australia, Canada, and the U.S., but they’re not always documented unless someone reports them. It’s not a London thing - it’s a detection thing.
Should I avoid going outside if I have itchy eyes?
No. Itchy eyes alone aren’t contagious. But if you also have a cough, fever, or fatigue, stay home. The eye symptoms are a sign your body is fighting the virus, not that you’re actively spreading it through your eyes. Still, avoid touching your eyes and wash your hands often. That’s the real way to prevent transmission.
Is there a test that can tell if it’s XBB.1.16 and not another variant?
Routine rapid tests won’t tell you which variant you have. Only genomic sequencing can. But you don’t need to know the exact variant to treat it. All variants are managed the same way: rest, fluids, isolation, and monitoring. If you’re high-risk (over 65, immunocompromised, pregnant), talk to your doctor about antivirals like Paxlovid - they work on XBB.1.16 just like earlier strains.
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