In case seasonal pollen allergies and everything else going on in the world weren't enough to bug you, now there's a new COVID-19 variant: Cicada.
No, it doesn't involve huge, loud insects making a racket every few years in the summer, but it can impede on your warm-weather plans if you get infected.
"The term 'cicada variant' is used informally to refer to an Omicron subvariant, sometimes associated with BA.3.2, though it is not an official CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] or WHO [World Health Organization] designation," Dr. Eve Elizabeth Pennie, MD, a physician and epidemiologist at Drugwatch, tells Parade. "Current data suggest it behaves similarly to other recent Omicron strains, with mutations that may enable some immune escape."
Further complicating and worsening the realities of COVID-19 risk—which very much still exists, especially for older patients or those with pre-existing conditions or compromised immune systems—is that we don't have a great system for tracking it right now.
"One of the under-appreciated realities of where we are with COVID-19 right now is that the United States has no national system tracking symptoms in real time," Dr. Tyler Evans, MD, infectious disease specialist and founder and CEO of Wellness Equity Alliance, warns. "We are, in many ways, flying without instruments. Clinicians on the ground are not reporting new clinical patterns yet, but that silence is not the same as a signal of safety."
That said, there are ways to stay safe. Find out what the most common COVID-19 symptoms are in April 2026, what makes the COVID-19 cicada variant unique and how to protect yourself and your loved ones.
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If you do get the bug, what can you expect? "Symptoms remain similar to other recent strains and include sore throat, cough, fatigue, fever, congestion and headache," Dr. Pennie says. "There are no clearly unique symptoms associated with this variant."
Dr. Nneoma Oparaji, MD, DipABLM, DABOM concurs. "So far, the most common symptoms of the cicada variant appear to be like recent Omicron-family COVID variants," Dr. Oparaji explains. "These include sore throat, cough, low energy, headache, fever, chills, runny nose and body aches."
That said, it's still not a walk in the park for anyone infected, especially if you get hit with a severe case, which can happen even to healthy people not considered high-risk.
"Most cases remain mild," Dr. Pennie says, "but worsening symptoms such as difficulty breathing or chest pain require prompt medical evaluation."
Also, remember that all cases of COVID, even mild ones, put you at risk of long COVID, the effects of which we're still learning about, but that we know definitely aren't fun.
Related: Doctors Say Older Adults Are Mistaking These Symptoms for Normal Aging—but It Could Be Long COVID
How Is the COVID-19 Cicada Variant Different From Prior Strains of Coronavirus?
According to Dr. Pennie and Dr. Oparaji, what makes the COVID-19 cicada variant different from others isn't necessarily anything you'd feel if you were infected, but you may be more likely to get infected with it.
She explains, "The biggest difference is that it is more mutated compared to other strains of the virus, which raises concern about spreading and being able to dodge the immunity people already have."
Dr. Oparaji adds, "Compared with earlier variants, the main difference is a greater ability to infect individuals with prior immunity. However, it has not been shown to cause more severe disease or significantly different clinical outcomes."
Related: Getting COVID Again Is More Dangerous Than Most People Realize—Here’s What To Know
COVID-19 vaccines and COVID boosters for the 2025-2026 "season" (more on that in a minute) will, indeed, protect you, and getting the jab is the best way to prevent severe infection.
"The variants driving circulation right now, XFG and NB.1.8.1, are covered by the existing JN.1 lineage vaccines. That is meaningful, practical information for anyone wondering whether their last shot still matters," Dr. Evans says. "It does. Both XFG and NB.1.8.1 fall within the JN.1 lineage, meaning current vaccine formulations were designed with these variants in mind."
The same applies to the cicada variant. Dr. Evans explains, "For the roughly 90 million Americans living in the 25 states where BA.3.2 has been detected, my guidance is straightforward: the current vaccines still offer meaningful protection against severe illness. Getting up to date is not a precaution against a theoretical future threat. It is the most evidence-based tool available right now."
That said, Dr. Pennie notes, "The most recent COVID vaccines are expected to protect against the cicada variant, especially against severe illnesses. However, it may be less effective in fully blocking against infection because the Cicada variant appears to avoid antibodies compared to recent COVID strains."
Other protective measures include all the ones you likely know already: Masking in crowded areas, testing if you have symptoms, self-isolating if you test positive, avoiding people who are infected until they fully recover, washing your hands thoroughly and frequently and maintaining an otherwise healthy lifestyle (as in eating anutrient-rich diet, exercising, getting adequate sleep and managing stress).
Related: Does the Current COVID Vaccine Protect Against the Latest Mutation?
Will There Be a Lower Risk of COVID-19 in Spring and Summer?
While warmer temperatures mean open windows and potentially better ventilation for some, that won't necessarily keep you from getting hit with the cicada variant or any other COVID strain in the spring and summer.
"People often ask me whether COVID-19 follows the calendar. The honest answer is: not reliably," Dr. Evans says. "Microbes rather do. We have seen surges in summer, in fall, in winter. What we can say is that a significant summer wave can sometimes exhaust the virus's immediate momentum and produce a quieter winter, but that calculus changes entirely if a new variant enters the picture."
"COVID-19's pattern is not exactly seasonal in the way influenza is," he adds. "Forecasting based on seasonal data alone is unreliable and has repeatedly led to premature declarations that a wave has passed."
Related: Doctors Say This Common Habit During COVID Recovery Could Be Making You Sicker
Uh oh, you tested positive and feel awful. What can you do next?
"The best way to ease cicada variant symptoms is to treat it like other COVID strains and not like a ‘new’ illness," Dr. Oparaji recommends. Her tips for relief:
"You can use over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol or ibuprofen for fever, body aches, headache; saline nasal sprays and rinses for congestion, honey for cough and sore throat and lozenges for throat pain if these medications are safe for you.""Rest by prioritizing sleep because it helps with recovery rather than trying to power through it.""Stay hydrated by drinking lots of fluids such as water, electrolyte drinks, warm tea, broth and soups, especially if there is fever, vomiting or diarrhea. This is an underrated tool for recovery from COVID.""Ask about anti-viral medication if you are high risk, such as older, immunocompromised or pregnant patients, as well as patients who have obesity, diabetes or heart, lung or kidney disease. It is better to start taking these medications within five days of first having COVID symptoms."Up Next:
Related: The Surprising COVID Vaccine Side Effect No One's Talking About
Sources:
Dr. Tyler Evans, MD, infectious disease specialist and founder and CEO of Wellness Equity Alliance.Dr. Nneoma Oparaji, MD, DipABLM, DABOMDr. Eve Elizabeth Pennie, MD, a physician and epidemiologist at DrugwatchHence then, the article about these are the most common covid 19 cicada variant symptoms doctors are seeing 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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