what are the symptoms of the new covid strain

The “new COVID strain” going around now mainly looks like a bad respiratory infection (a heavy cold or mild flu), with a few patterns doctors are watching for in 2025–2026.

Core symptoms being reported

Most recent variants (like NB.1.8.1 / “Nimbus”, KP.3, and other Omicron‑descended strains) share a common cluster of symptoms.

• Sore throat, often described as sharp or “razor blade–like” with some newer variants.

• Cough, usually dry and persistent.

• Runny or congested nose.

• Mild fever or chills rather than the very high fevers many saw early in the pandemic.

• Fatigue, weakness, or feeling “wiped out.”

• Headache and body aches.

• Sneezing, similar to a strong cold.

Loss of taste or smell still happens but is now less common than in the original and early variants.

Less common but possible signs

Doctors and clinics also note some less frequent symptoms.

• Shortness of breath or chest tightness (more concerning, especially in high‑risk people).

• Dizziness or feeling light‑headed.

• Gastrointestinal issues: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or general stomach upset.

• “Brain fog” or trouble concentrating in some cases.

If you notice trouble breathing, chest pain, confusion, or lips/face turning blue, that’s an emergency and needs immediate medical care.

How it compares to earlier COVID

Health agencies and recent medical reviews say the symptom pattern has shifted compared with 2020–2021, but it’s still mostly a respiratory illness.

• Since Omicron, the most typical symptoms are sore throat, cough, sneezing, and nasal congestion.

• Many newer infections resemble a bad cold or mild flu, especially in vaccinated or previously infected people.

• Loss of taste/smell and very high fevers are less dominant than in the earliest waves, though they can still occur.

Some specific new variants (for example, NB.1.8.1) are associated with that particularly intense sore throat, but overall severity for most people appears similar to or slightly milder than early pandemic strains, largely due to broader immunity.

When to test or seek help

Because symptoms overlap heavily with flu, RSV, and regular colds, doctors emphasize that you usually cannot tell which infection you have without testing.

You should consider testing or contacting a doctor if:

• You have a sore throat, cough, congestion, and fatigue that start suddenly, especially after a known exposure.
• Symptoms are getting worse after a few days instead of better.
• You are pregnant, older, or have conditions like heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, obesity, cancer, or a weakened immune system.

Seek urgent or emergency care if:

• You struggle to breathe, have chest pain or pressure.
• You feel suddenly confused or can’t stay awake.
• Your lips, face, or fingertips look bluish or very pale.

Quick example: what it might feel like

Many people describe the new‑strain experience like this:

“It started with a scratchy, then sharp sore throat, then a dry cough and stuffy nose the next day. I felt really tired, had a mild fever and body aches for a few days, then slowly started to clear up.”

That kind of “cold‑plus” picture is very typical for the current waves, though it can vary a lot from person to person.

If you currently have these kinds of symptoms, the safest move is to take a COVID test, rest, stay hydrated, and follow local public‑health or doctor advice on isolation and treatment. This information is general and not a substitute for care from your own clinician.