Symptoms of New COVID Strain: What to Know

That scratchy throat and dull headache used to mean one thing—a cold was on its way. Now the same symptoms can just as easily be COVID-19, and the CDC (U.S. public health agency) says the current variant list reads almost identically to a common cold. Knowing which official clues still matter and when to test makes all the difference.

Common new variant symptoms: sore throat, congestion, cough, fatigue, headache, mild fever · Loss of taste or smell now less common: reported in fewer cases with recent variants · Typical COVID duration: 5 to 10 days for mild to moderate cases · Tier 1 sources: CDC, NHS, HSE Ireland

What are the symptoms of the new virus going around?

Common symptoms reported by CDC and NHS

• Sore throat, congestion, runny nose, dry cough, headache, fatigue, and mild fever or chills are the most frequently reported symptoms with current variants, according to the NHS (UK national health service).
• The NHS (UK national health service) adds that a high temperature, new continuous cough, and loss or change to smell or taste are also possible, though less dominant now.
• Stony Brook Medicine reports that the BA.3.2 “Cicada” variant—which USA Today reported was detected in at least 25 states—causes cough, fatigue or low energy, fever, and body aches as its most common signs (Stony Brook Medicine).

The implication: the symptom list has settled into a pattern that overlaps heavily with other respiratory viruses. Nothing in the current profile screams “COVID” the way loss of smell did in 2020.

Loss of taste and smell now less common

• Loss of taste or smell used to be a hallmark of COVID-19, but Prevention (health media outlet) reports this symptom has become less common with recent variants.
• The NHS still lists it as a possible symptom, but it no longer appears at the top of frequency lists from current surveillance data.
• Stony Brook Medicine notes that changes in smell or taste remain possible with the BA.3.2 variant but are not among the most common complaints (Stony Brook Medicine).

The catch: relying on loss of taste or smell as a signal today will miss most cases. The symptom profile has shifted toward the upper respiratory tract.

How can I tell if I have COVID or a cold?

Key differences in onset and symptom profile

• NBC News (national news outlet) reported in March 2026 that symptoms for the new COVID variant, flu, and other viruses are so similar that doctors say you cannot reliably tell which one you have without a test.
• Cold symptoms often start gradually—a scratchy throat, then sneezing, then congestion. COVID can begin with sudden fatigue, fever, and body aches, according to Prevention.
• Sore throat and congestion appear in both, but COVID more often includes fever, headache, and muscle aches that are less typical in a common cold, says the NHS.

Six key differences, one pattern: onset speed and systemic symptoms tilt the scale toward COVID, but overlap is high enough that guessing is unreliable.

When to take a COVID test

• The NHS advises testing if you have any symptoms of COVID-19, especially before visiting vulnerable people or if you need to be in crowded indoor spaces.
• Rapid antigen tests are widely available and provide results within 15–30 minutes. PCR tests remain the gold standard for accuracy, per the CDC.
• Testing is the only way to confirm, and NBC News emphasizes that doctors now consider it essential because symptom profiles overlap so heavily.

Why this matters: without a test, you are making an educated guess at best. The cost of guessing wrong—infecting a vulnerable person—is too high to skip it.

What does the very beginning of COVID feel like?

First 24–48 hours typical signs

• Early symptoms often include a sore throat, fatigue, headache, and mild fever, according to the NHS.
• Some people report a scratchy throat or a feeling of “coming down with something” before any other signs appear, notes Medical Daily (health news site).
• Symptoms usually appear within two to 14 days of exposure to the virus, reports Today (major U.S. media outlet).

The pattern: the first signs are generic and easy to dismiss. Most people mistake the earliest phase for allergies or a mild cold until fever or fatigue escalates.

When symptoms become more noticeable

• Within 24 to 48 hours, symptoms may escalate to include a dry cough, congestion, and more pronounced fatigue, per the NHS.
• Prevention reports that some people experience a mild upper respiratory infection that mimics a cold, while others develop a more systemic illness with fever, chills, and headache.
• Sneezing and a general worn-down feeling are also common in the first few days, according to Medical Daily.

The trade-off: catching it early means you can isolate before peak infectiousness, but the vague early signs make that hard without testing.

What are the weird symptoms of the new COVID variant?

Gastrointestinal symptoms

• Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting have been reported with some variants, including the BA.3.2 “Cicada” strain, according to Stony Brook Medicine (academic medical center).
• The NHS lists nausea and diarrhea as possible symptoms, and the NHS includes loss of appetite, diarrhea, and feeling sick on its official list.
• USA Today (national newspaper) listed vomiting and diarrhea among the symptoms linked to the “Cicada” variant.

The catch: GI symptoms are easy to attribute to food poisoning or a stomach bug, which means people may not connect them to COVID and continue their daily routines.

Skin changes and other rare presentations

• Some individuals experience skin rashes or “COVID toes”—chilblain-like lesions on fingers and toes—though these are less common with current variants, per the NHS.
• Neurological symptoms like brain fog, dizziness, and difficulty concentrating have been reported, according to Stony Brook Medicine.
• These symptoms are less common but worth knowing about because they often persist after other symptoms resolve, Today notes.

The implication: the “weird” symptoms are not rare enough to ignore. They affect a meaningful minority of patients and can be the only clue that it is COVID rather than a cold.

How long does the new COVID variant last?

Typical duration for mild to moderate cases

• Most people recover within 5 to 10 days from symptom onset, according to the NHS.
• Today reports that symptoms usually appear within two to 14 days of exposure, and the illness course for mild cases typically resolves within a week to 10 days.
• The NHS advises that most people feel better within a few days to a week, though some symptoms may linger.

The pattern: 5–10 days is the standard window, but individual variation is wide. Some people are symptom-free on day 3; others are still coughing on day 12.

Factors that can prolong symptoms

• Symptoms may last longer in older adults, people with underlying health conditions, or those who are immunocompromised, according to the NHS.
• Long COVID—persistent fatigue, cough, brain fog, and shortness of breath—can last for weeks or months, the NHS warns.
• Prevention notes that the severity of the acute illness does not always predict whether someone will develop long COVID.

Why this matters: duration is not just about the acute phase. Lingering symptoms affect work, childcare, and daily life for a significant subset of patients.

COVID vs Cold: At a Glance

Seven symptom categories, one pattern: fever and body aches are the strongest differentiators, but every symptom appears in both conditions at some frequency.

The trade-off: fever and body aches point toward COVID, but many people with current variants never develop a fever. The NBC News report makes the core point: without a test, the overlap is too wide for reliable self-diagnosis.

Timeline of a Typical COVID Infection

Four phases, one pattern: the first two days are the hardest to catch because symptoms resemble a mild cold, and that is also when transmission risk begins.

The catch: the timeline is not a guarantee. Some people clear the virus by day 5; others are still testing positive on day 14. Individual factors like age, vaccination status, and underlying health conditions play a large role.

What We Know and What Remains Unclear

The pattern: what we know is solid enough to guide action—test if symptomatic, isolate if positive. What remains unclear mostly affects long-term planning rather than immediate decisions.

Expert Sources on Current Symptoms

“COVID-19 symptoms can include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, new loss of taste or smell, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.”

— CDC (U.S. public health agency)

“COVID-19 symptoms can include a high temperature, a new continuous cough, loss or change to smell or taste, shortness of breath, tiredness, aching body, headache, sore throat, blocked or runny nose, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and feeling sick or being sick.”

— NHS (UK national health service)

“Symptoms for the new COVID variant, flu, and other viruses are so similar that doctors say you cannot reliably tell which one you have without a test.”

— NBC News (national news outlet)

The thread through all three sources: the official symptom lists are broad, the overlap with other respiratory viruses is extensive, and testing is the only reliable differentiator. For anyone in the U.S. or UK, the CDC and NHS pages remain the most authoritative reference points for current symptoms.

For the average person waking up with a sore throat and a headache, the decision is not about diagnosing yourself—it is about taking the next right step. That means testing, isolating if positive, and following your local health authority’s guidance on treatment and isolation rules. The symptoms alone will not tell you what you need to know, but the protocol will keep you and the people around you safe.

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