As winter settles in, COVID-19 cases are once again on the rise, a pattern that has held true over the years. After the holidays, more people tend to get sick, as indoor gatherings and close contact lead to the spread of infections.
“It seems the wave is coming,” said Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease expert at the University of California, San Francisco.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), wastewater data reveals high levels of COVID-19 circulating nationwide. In addition, both deaths and hospitalizations related to the virus have risen in recent weeks. A new variant, XEC, now makes up nearly half of all COVID-19 cases in the U.S.
Common COVID Symptoms to Watch For
COVID-19 symptoms remain consistent, including cough, congestion, fever, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, shortness of breath, headaches, body aches, and extreme fatigue. Some people may also lose their sense of taste or smell. However, symptoms can vary with each infection, and while you may have had a sore throat in the past, gastrointestinal symptoms could arise this time.
The challenge is further compounded by the rapid spread of other illnesses, including the flu, RSV, whooping cough, and walking pneumonia.
“It’s a cornucopia of a lot of different things this year,” said Dr. Marc Sala, co-director of the Northwestern Medicine Comprehensive COVID-19 Center in Chicago.
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Given the overlap in symptoms, it can be difficult to determine the exact virus without testing.
When and How to Test for COVID-19
PCR tests remain the gold standard for COVID-19 detection and are available at doctor’s offices, hospitals, and urgent care centers. However, at-home rapid tests are widely accessible and some can even detect both COVID-19 and the flu. You can still order four free COVID-19 tests per household from the federal government.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that at-home tests are reliable, detecting the virus at least 80% of the time. If you develop symptoms and have a rapid test available, it’s advised to test yourself. If the result is negative, wait 48 hours and test again. This second test is critical, as prior infections or vaccinations might lead to symptoms before the virus reaches detectable levels.
If you’ve been exposed but aren’t showing symptoms, the FDA recommends waiting at least five days before testing.
Expired tests may still be effective if stored properly. Although some tests may show an expired date, the FDA has extended expiration dates for many. Ensure that tests are kept at room temperature, as freezing can impact their reliability.
How Long Are You Contagious?
If you test positive for COVID-19, you are contagious and should avoid contact with others. Typically, individuals are contagious for at least five days, but if you test negative after a few days, you are most likely no longer contagious.
Treatment Options
For those at higher risk of severe illness—such as individuals over 65 or those with weakened immune systems—treatments like Paxlovid, an antiviral pill, can be effective if taken within a week of symptom onset. However, Paxlovid may interact with certain medications, so alternatives such as remdesivir (an infusion treatment) or molnupiravir may be prescribed.
Monoclonal antibody treatments like Pemgarda are available for high-risk individuals before exposure, and vaccines remain a key tool in preventing severe illness.
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Vaccines and Protection
The FDA approved updated vaccines in August, targeting variants similar to the current dominant XEC strain. While immunity can wane a few months after vaccination, protection against severe disease remains, particularly with the latest fall vaccines. Even if you haven’t been vaccinated yet, it’s not too late to get your shot.
Dr. Ziyad Al-Aly, chief of research and development at the Veterans Affairs St. Louis Healthcare System, emphasized that the updated vaccines are designed to offer protection against XEC. “It’s very, very close,” he said.
Despite the availability of vaccines, COVID-19 remains a serious risk, with ongoing cases of severe illness, long COVID, and death, underscoring the importance of continued vigilance.
“It’s not inconsequential,” Dr. Al-Aly said. “It’s not the nothingburger that we wish it is.”
