The Stratus variant is fueling COVID-19 cases around the country.<\/p>\n
Symptoms of the virus look slightly different right now. <\/p>\n
Here, doctors share what to look out for and how to protect yourself from the latest variant.<\/p>\n
A newer COVID variant called XFG is currently fueling cases of the virus across the country. Nicknamed \u201cStratus,\u201d<\/a> this variant first took hold over the summer and now makes up nearly 70%<\/a> of COVID-19<\/a> cases in the country. As the virus evolves, some signs you\u2019re sick might too. So, what are COVID-19 symptoms in 2025?<\/p>\n While some liken it to the common cold, COVID-19 is still a lethal disease, and certain groups are still at a higher risk of a more severe form of the virus. But many people are experiencing an uncomfortable illness with symptoms that are slightly different from what having COVID-19 used to feel like.<\/p>\n Infectious disease doctors stress that every person\u2019s experience with the virus is different. \u201cSo many infections now are milder, but there are still people being hospitalized with COVID,\u201d says William Schaffner, M.D.,<\/a> an infectious disease specialist and professor at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.<\/p>\n Meet the experts: Thomas Russo, M.D.,<\/a> professor and chief of infectious disease at the University at Buffalo in New York; William Schaffner, M.D.,<\/a> an infectious disease specialist and professor at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine<\/p>\n Even if you\u2019re not in a high-risk group for serious complications from COVID-19, \u201cyou can\u2019t count on avoiding severe illness,\u201d says Thomas Russo, M.D.,<\/a> professor and chief of infectious disease at the University at Buffalo in New York.<\/p>\n So, what are the biggest COVID symptoms right now? Here\u2019s what you should know.<\/p>\n What are COVID-19 symptoms now?<\/p>\n Again, everyone\u2019s experience with COVID-19 is slightly different. \u201cIt depends on a combination of how much virus you\u2019re exposed to, what your underlying state of immunity is, and the underlying host\u2014are you a younger, healthier host, an older host, or have underlying health conditions?\u201d Dr. Russo says.<\/p>\n But doctors agree that there are a few COVID-19 symptoms that many people are experiencing:<\/p>\n This constellation of symptoms can make COVID-19 feel like a bad cold, if you\u2019re lucky enough to get a mild case.<\/p>\n But it\u2019s still possible to experience the other legacy symptoms of COVID-19, which may include<\/a>:<\/p>\n New loss of taste or smell<\/p>\n Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing<\/p>\n Why are some people experiencing more mild symptoms?<\/p>\n It\u2019s likely due to a few factors, including the different dominant variant and built-up immunity to the virus (from vaccination and previous infection), Dr. Russo says.<\/p>\n It\u2019s also just the nature of the virus, according to Dr. Schaffner. \u201cCOVID is a respiratory virus, and all of these viruses can produce similar symptoms involving the nose, throat, and chest,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n Again, that doesn\u2019t mean that this is what COVID-19 will look like for you\u2014it\u2019s just what many people are experiencing right now. \u201cI\u2019m thrilled that many people are experiencing mild symptoms, but you can\u2019t count on that, particularly if you haven\u2019t gotten your vaccine or boosters, and haven\u2019t recently been infected,\u201d Dr. Russo says. \u201cThe subsequent consequences of COVID, in terms of long COVID, is much more significant than it is for influenza.\u201d<\/p>\n Where are cases surging?<\/p>\n According to wastewater data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/a> (CDC), COVID-19 cases are currently high in these states:<\/p>\n There are plenty of other states with moderate levels of the virus, per CDC data.<\/p>\n How long are you contagious with COVID-19?<\/p>\n The amount of time you\u2019re contagious with COVID-19 can vary, but the virus tends to follow a certain pattern in terms of being able to infect others. \u201cYou\u2019re contagious for the day before you get sick and then most contagious for the next two to three days,\u201d Dr. Schaffner says. \u201cIt tapers off after that, but it\u2019s not like a light switch.\u201d<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve been vaccinated, the amount of time that you\u2019re contagious will be less than if you\u2019re unvaccinated, Dr. Russo says. Overall, Dr. Russo says it\u2019s safe to assume that you\u2019re not likely to infect anyone 10 days after you first got sick. \u201cThat\u2019s a safe rule of thumb,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re planning to be around people who are vulnerable to getting seriously ill before then, like small children, older adults, and people with underlying health conditions, Dr. Russo recommends wearing a mask.<\/p>\n How to protect yourself from COVID-19 right now<\/p>\n No shocker here\u2014doctors recommend getting your updated COVID-19 vaccine<\/a>, if you haven\u2019t already. \u201cThink about getting out your mask and think twice about those holiday gatherings, especially if you\u2019re high-risk,\u201d Dr. Schaffner says. And, of course, do your best to stay away from people who are obviously sick.<\/p>\n