It's fall, y'all, and you know what that means—temperatures and leaves drop, football season is in full swing, pumpkin spice everything takes over your senses...and COVID-19 is likely to run rampant again. (We know, womp womp!)"The dominant strain in the U.S. right now is an Omicron subvariant called Nimbus (NB.1.8.1)," Dr. Tyler B. Evans, MD, MS, MPH, AAHIVS, DTM&H, FIDSA, CEO and co-founder of Wellness Equity Alliance and an infectious disease and public health expert, tells Parade. "It spreads quickly, but is not more severe than earlier forms. It can still be dangerous for older adults, people with chronic conditions, and those with weakened immune systems."What are the most common COVID-19 symptoms doctors are seeing in October 2025? Read on to find out what to look out for, how to prevent severe infection and how to help yourself recover quickly and more easily if you do catch the latest coronavirus strains.? SIGN UP for Parade’s health newsletter with expert-approved tips, healthy eats, exercises, news & more to help you stay healthy & feel your best self ?
The good news? There's nothing too new or crazy this time around (unlike the dreaded "razorblade throat" from some summer 2025 variants), and Dr. Evans notes that loss of taste and smell are less common now than in earlier variants of the virus."The most common symptoms include sore throat, high fevers, lots of nasal congestion and dry cough," Dr. Juanita Mora, MD, a board-certified physician specializing in allergy and immunology, says. "The dry cough has been specifically marked during asthma peak week in our patients with asthma, along with wheezing and uncontrolled asthma symptoms."
As for what you can expect this time around, Dr. Bernadette Boden-Albala, MPH, DrPH, founding dean of the UC Irvine Joe C. Wen School of Population & Public Health, tells Parade, "The Centers for Disease and Prevention continue to update the list of common COVID symptoms like fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, new loss of taste or smell, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache and nausea or vomiting."
"Patients that are currently presenting for long COVID are generally reporting severe fatigue, lack of energy, some shortness of breath and mild brain fog," Dr. Noah Greenspan, DPT, PT, CCS, EMT-B, says. "Thankfully, we are not seeing the same magnitude that we have seen in the past, especially among people who got sick during the early days of the pandemic. Keep in mind that that can change at any moment, depending upon the different variant mutations."
However, there's a downside to more mundane symptoms, Dr. Evans warns: "Because these symptoms overlap with flu and RSV, testing is the only way to know for sure."
Related: Can You Get a Flu Shot and a COVID Shot at the Same Time?
Should You Get the COVID Booster?
According to experts, it's absolutely worth getting a booster because it'll protect against severe cases from just about any variant.
"The updated COVID-19 vaccine boosters are designed to target common circulating COVID-19 variants more effectively. Currently, the most common variants circulating in our communities are Nimbus and Stratus," Dr. Boden-Albala says. "These variants should be considered part of the virus’s ongoing seasonal pattern, rather than fundamentally new threats."
Dr. Evans concurs, "The updated booster targets newer Omicron strains, including Nimbus. No vaccine covers every mutation, but this shot gives strong protection against severe illness, hospitalization, and death from the strains circulating now."
Related: These Are the Vaccine Side Effects You Should Worry About, According to Infectious Disease Experts
What’s the Quickest Way To Get Rid of COVID Symptoms?
If you're showing any COVID symptoms, your first step should be to take a test to determine if you have it, especially since, as Dr. Evans notes above, there are a lot of viruses and illnesses this time of year with overlapping symptoms.
"If you develop symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, congestion, fatigue or loss of taste or smell, use an at-home antigen or PCR test to check," Dr. Boden-Albala says.
If you do get infected, there are steps you can take to feel better faster than, say, just moaning about your misery (though you'd be well within your rights to do so, because having COVID really, really sucks).
"Remain at home as much as possible, allowing your body to fight the infection and recover," Dr. Boden-Albala tells Parade. "Remember, usually for COVID-19 it takes about five days for symptoms to subside. It's important to avoid close contact with others to reduce the transmission of the virus to other people. If you’re at high risk of severe illness (e.g., immunocompromised or elderly) or really feel very sick, seek medical advice promptly—antiviral treatments like Paxlovid can be effective if started soon after symptoms begin."
Dr. Mora also urges anyone who's infected to get to a doctor, especially if you're in a high-risk population.
"Clinical trials have demonstrated that Paxlovid reduces the risk of hospitalization or death by 89% in adults who are at high risk for severe illness and take the medication within three days of symptom onset," she says. "Paxlovid has also been shown to reduce the duration and severity of symptoms, with patients who take the medication experiencing shorter illness durations and lower viral loads."
If you can't get to a doctor, you still have options to help feel less crummy.
"I have had COVID twice," Dr. Greenspan tells us. He shares what he called his "personal cocktail of choice" to treat symptoms:
Ibuprofen: 400 mg twice per dayBaby aspirin: 81 mg twice per dayFamotidine: 20 mg twice per dayOne loratadine and pseudoephedrine 12-hour tablet twice per daySupplemental oxygen if you have access to itUsing an airway clearance device to help remove mucusElectrolytesRestYour own needs and symptoms may be different, so don't feel like you need to take Dr. Greenspan's list as gospel, especially if you're on any other medications that may interact with these!
Related: COVID Had a Scary Impact on Brain Health—Here’s What to Do
Getting vaccinated and boosted is still your best line of defense.
"Aside from protecting from hospitalization and severe symptoms from COVID-19, evidence suggests that being up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccines can reduce the risk of developing long COVID," Dr. Mora says.
"Public health prevention efforts remain the best advice for reducing risks around COVID-19. It is critical to be up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines," Dr. Boden-Albala agrees. "Remember, the updated COVID-19 vaccines are designed to target current COVID-19 circulating variants more effectively. Staying up to date with COVID-19 boosters offers the best protection against severe illness, especially for people with higher risk factors such as older age or being pregnant, which can impact immunity or pre-existing health conditions. Maintaining a strong baseline of health through rest, nutrient-rich food, and stress reduction can support immune resilience."
The one exception? If you have a current or recent infection, you may want to wait a bit before getting the jab, Dr. Evan says.
"Wait until you recover and finish isolation before getting vaccinated," he explains. "The CDC advises about three months after infection for the best immune response, unless your doctor recommends sooner based on your health risks."
That said, if you had COVID somewhat recently and want extra protection ahead of the busy holiday season when we're all going to be crowding around indoors, don't fret too much. Dr. Mora says, "People should wait at least two weeks after an active COVID-19 infection or until COVID-19 infection symptoms are completely resolved before getting COVID-19 booster."
If you're vaccinated, however, don't think you're completely in the clear, Dr. Greenspan warns. "One key point that I will always emphasize is that the more times you have COVID, the greater your chances of developing long COVID, so it is not something that I would completely ignore or feel as if there is zero threat."
As such, you'll also want to mask up in crowded places, test if you show any symptoms, isolate if you're infected and avoid others who may be infected. Frequent handwashing never hurt, either, so please don't be lazy and gross after using a public bathroom, OK? It's for your own good!
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Related: These Are the Most Common Symptoms of the Flu That Doctors Are Seeing Right Now
Sources:
Dr. Bernadette Boden-Albala, MPH, DrPHDr. Tyler B. Evans, MD, MS, MPH, AAHIVS, DTM&H, FIDSADr. Noah Greenspan, DPT, PT, CCS, EMT-BDr. Juanita Mora, MDHence then, the article about these are the most common covid 19 symptoms doctors are seeing right now was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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