BREAKING: COVID is wearing a new face this winter. My reporting confirms a sharp shift in symptoms across clinics and households. The 2025 profile hits the throat hard, drains energy, and often skips fever.
What is changing with COVID symptoms in 2025
Here is what I am seeing most often now. A severe sore throat that feels like razor blades, especially on days one to three. Deep, whole-body fatigue that lingers after other symptoms calm down. Heavy nasal congestion without a fever. Throbbing headaches that sit behind the eyes.
Loss of taste or smell has become rare. The dry, hacking cough of early waves is less common now. For most healthy people, illness looks and feels like a strong cold or a milder flu. But do not let that fool you. It is still very contagious, and it can still be serious for older adults and people with weak immune systems.
What BA.3.2 on the WHO watchlist means
On December 5, 2025, the WHO moved a new Omicron offshoot, BA.3.2, to its monitoring list. Here is the bottom line. BA.3.2 is spreading a bit faster, about 3.5 percent growth per day, and it can slip past some antibodies. There is no clear sign it causes more severe disease.
This mirrors what we have seen all year. Earlier variants, like Nimbus and Stratus, also pushed symptoms up in the throat and nose. The pattern continues, with sore throat and fatigue leading the way.
BA.3.2 is under monitoring for speed and immune escape. There is no evidence right now that it is more dangerous.
How to tell if it is COVID, flu, or a cold
Symptoms overlap a lot this season. Fever is less reliable. The only solid way to know is to test. Rapid antigen tests at home can confirm infection. If your first test is negative, and you still feel sick, test again 24 to 48 hours later. PCR tests at clinics are more sensitive if you need a clear answer.
Test if you have:
- A sudden, severe sore throat, even without fever
- Deep fatigue out of proportion to a mild cold
- Heavy congestion plus a headache behind the eyes
- A known exposure or an upcoming visit with a high risk person
Care at home, and when to seek help
Treat the sore throat and rest early. Warm liquids, throat lozenges, and gentle saltwater gargles help. Use acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain and headache. Keep a humidifier running to soothe irritated airways. Sleep more than you think you need, and hydrate well.
Sipping warm honey tea, using a humidifier, and short steamy showers can ease that razor-blade throat fast.
If you are at higher risk, call your clinician as soon as symptoms start. Antiviral treatment works best in the first five days. That early call matters.
Get urgent care for trouble breathing, chest pain, confusion, blue or gray lips, signs of dehydration, or oxygen below 92 percent if you use a home monitor.
Keep your winter plans, but layer protection
Wastewater signals are ticking up in some regions as gatherings move indoors. You can still see family and friends. Protect the visit, and protect your health.
- Get the updated COVID shot if you are due
- Use a high quality mask in crowded indoor spaces
- Improve air with open windows or a HEPA purifier
- Test before visiting older or medically fragile loved ones
- Stay home if you are sick, even if you do not have a fever
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the top COVID symptoms right now?
A: The big four this winter are severe sore throat, deep fatigue, heavy congestion without fever, and a headache behind the eyes. Loss of taste or smell is uncommon.
Q: Do I need a fever to have COVID?
A: No. Many people this season never spike a fever. A sudden intense sore throat plus fatigue is a strong clue.
Q: How long am I contagious?
A: Most people are most contagious from one day before symptoms through day five. If you still feel sick or test positive, mask around others through day ten.
Q: Will the current vaccines still help?
A: Yes. Vaccination still lowers the risk of severe illness, hospital stays, and long recovery. It may not block every infection, but it improves outcomes.
Q: How long can the fatigue last?
A: Fatigue often outlasts other symptoms by a week or more. Pace yourself, hydrate, and return to activity slowly to avoid setbacks.
Conclusion: COVID in 2025 is acting like a throat-heavy, energy-draining cold for many, with a new subvariant on watch but no sign of greater severity. Know the new signals, test early, treat symptoms, and layer simple protections. Smart steps now will keep your season on track.
