Health Watch: COVID Symptoms Are Changing

The Stratus variant is fueling COVID-19 cases around the country. Photo: Getty

A newer COVID variant called XFG is currently fueling cases of the virus across the country. Nicknamed “Stratus,” this variant first took hold over the summer and now makes up nearly 70% of COVID-19 cases in the country.

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.

Infectious disease doctors stress that every person’s experience with the virus is different.

“So many infections now are milder, but there are still people being hospitalized with COVID,” says William Schaffner, M.D., an infectious disease specialist and professor at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.

Even if you’re not in a high-risk group for serious complications from COVID-19, “you can’t count on avoiding severe illness,” says Thomas Russo, M.D., professor and chief of infectious disease at the University at Buffalo in New York.

Doctors agree that many people are experiencing the following symptoms:

• Sore throat

• Sinus congestion

• Runny nose

Other COVID-19 symptoms may include:

• New loss of taste or smell

• Fatigue

• Fever or chills

• Cough

• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

• Muscle or body aches

• Headache

• Nausea or vomiting

• Diarrhea

Doctors say symptoms may feel milder due to built-up immunity from vaccinations or previous infections, but warn that long COVID remains a serious concern.

“You’re contagious for the day before you get sick and then most contagious for the next two to three days,” Schaffner said. “It tapers off after that.”

Doctors continue to recommend updated COVID-19 vaccinations, masking around vulnerable individuals, and testing when symptoms appear.