a variant of concern?

What does variant mean in medical terms?

(VAYR-ee-unt) An alteration in the most common DNA nucleotide sequence. The term variant can be used to describe an alteration that may be benign, pathogenic, or of unknown significance. The term variant is increasingly being used in place of the term mutation.

What is the new variant called?

A new COVID variant, called BA 3.2 and nicknamed “Cicada”, is circulating in the U.S. and was detected in wastewater in 25 states, according to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

How contagious is the new variant?

BA. 3.2 is a new version of the COVID-19 virus. It can spread easily, but vaccines and treatments still protect most people from getting very sick. Staying up to date on vaccines and following simple safety steps can help you stay safe with this variant.

Why is SARS-CoV-2 of particular concern?

SARS-CoV-2, similar to other RNA viruses, continually mutates, and new variants are appearing. Among large numbers of detected SARS-CoV-2 variants, only an insignificant amount of them are able to pose a risk to public health, as they are more contagious and cause more severe conditions.

What is the deadliest COVID variant?

A global meta-analysis published yesterday in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases estimates that the deadliest SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern (VOC) was Beta, followed by Gamma, Alpha, Delta, and Omicron, with variant-specific case-fatality rates (CFRs) ranging from 0.7% to 4.2%.

Is this variant of COVID worse?

The main variant in the United States is omicron. This variant spreads more easily than the original virus that causes COVID-19 and the delta variant. But omicron seems to cause less severe disease.

Is Omicron still a concern?

Currently, the dominant variant nationwide is XFG. 1.1, with 32% of cases, followed by XFG, with 13% of cases, and XFG. 14.1, with 8% of cases. "The original omicron variant is gone now," says Dr.

How long will I be sick with the new COVID variant?

Recovery and What to Expect After Infection

Most people recover from the new COVID variant within 5 to 10 days. Fatigue, cough, or congestion may linger longer, especially in older adults.

Is there a new variant of COVID-19 in 2026?

The first U.S. BA. 3.2 detection occurred on June 27, 2025, through CDC's Traveler-Based Genomic Surveillance program in a participant traveling to the United States from the Netherlands. The first U.S. detection of BA. 3.2 in a clinical specimen collected from a patient was reported on January 5, 2026.

What is the difference between Omicron and COVID?

While Delta variant symptoms include a loss of taste and smell and a persistent cough, Omicron symptoms are more likely to have a sore throat, a runny nose and sneezing. As both variants may cause hospitalization, it's important to use preventative measures such as wearing masks and getting vaccinated.

How long does SARS-CoV-2 stay on surfaces?

Coronavirus can survive on plastic, stainless steel and countertops as a functional and infectious virus for up to three days (72 hours), the longest of all the materials. This is the general rule for hard, shiny surfaces. This can include children's play equipment, public transport handles and your mobile phone.

What is the deadliest virus?

Rabies virus has a characteristic bullet-shaped virion structure. Rabies virus infection in mammals is nearly 100% fatal if left untreated.

Is Omicron more or less severe?

Data has suggested that the original Omicron strain was less severe, in general, than previous variants, according to the CDC.

How is Omicron treated?

For those without any underlying health issues, treating omicron is primarily supportive, similar to previous variants. Both Campbell and Johnson recommended using acetaminophen (Tylenol) when needed for symptoms that include headache, muscle aches or fever.

Can you get another variant of COVID right away?

As the virus evolves, new variants with the ability to evade your existing immunity can appear. This can increase your risk of reinfection. Reinfection can occur as early as several weeks after a previous infection, although this is rare.

At what stage of COVID are you most contagious?

And some people can spread COVID-19 before they experience symptoms. People with weakened immune systems can also be contagious for longer. COVID-19 tends to be most contagious 1-2 days before and up to 8-10 days after symptoms begin.

Is the latest variant of COVID mild?

Symptoms of the Nimbus variant have been reported to be mostly mild and typically resemble other respiratory illnesses. That said, some people report intense sore throats from Nimbus, sometimes even described as “sharp” or “stabbing,” especially in the early stages of infection.

What are the symptoms of the new variant of COVID?

Common Symptoms of the New COVID Variant (2025):

• Low-grade fever or chills.
• Mild sore throat or throat irritation.
• Runny or blocked nose.
• Dry cough that lingers.
• Fatigue and mild headache.
• Gastro symptoms like nausea, appetite loss, or diarrhea.
• Muscle aches and body pain.

Can I take Zyrtec when I have COVID?

Several studies have shown that a number of Covid‐19 patients improved significantly when on antihistamines due to their antiviral and anti‐inflammatory properties. 18, 19, 20 Moreover, antihistamines have shown to be effective in the management of long term symptoms post‐Covid‐19 infection.

What is the Covid variant sore throat?

June 26, 2025 – The new COVID-19 variant that now makes up about a third of U.S. COVID cases has a signature symptom: a painful sore throat that feels like "razor blades." "This 'razor blade sore throat' was reported as a common symptom in China," where the variant first emerged in May, said Matthew S.