Is There a Chance Your Illness is the New COVID Variant?

Doesn't it seem like EVERYONE is sick right now?

And, it's not just a normal, nasty, cold. Depending on who you ask, people who get it experience a bad cough, sore throat, fever, lack of appetite, neausea, gastrointestinal issues, and just feel tired. On top of all that, this illness, whatever it is, really seems to stick with you. You don't get over it in a few days. You may feel better after a few days, but at least some of the symptoms linger.

Whenever it gets brought up in conversation, people always just say that there is "something going around".

So, what is it? Is it the flu? A really strange cold? Or, could it be the new COVID variant that a lot of people have been discussing recently?

The New COVID-19 Variant

According to an article on the WSB TV website, a newer COVID-19 variant known as BA.3.2 is drawing attention, though health officials say it’s not currently a major threat.

The variant was first identified in South Africa on November 22, 2024, and by February had been reported in 23 countries. The World Health Organization labeled it a “variant of interest” and noted it showed signs of possibly emerging further, according to earlier reporting.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says BA.3.2 has been detected in a mix of sources, including nasal swabs from four travelers, several airplane wastewater samples, clinical specimens, and more than 100 wastewater samples collected across 25 states.

The earliest known U.S. case dates back to June, when a traveler arriving at San Francisco International Airport from the Netherlands tested positive, according to reporting from the San Francisco Chronicle and CIDRAP.

The Independent reports the variant stems from the omicron lineage and notes that current vaccines, which are designed to target JN.1 subvariants, may offer limited protection. The outlet also points out that dozens of variants are currently circulating.

Despite its spread, BA.3.2 is not the dominant strain and does not appear to be increasing rapidly, according to the Chronicle. California health officials say COVID-19 levels remain very low across the state, and there’s no indication this variant causes different symptoms compared to earlier versions.

In addition to California, it has been has been found in two dozen other states. These include Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.

Do you still occasionally test for COVID when you get sick? Or, have you put all that in the rearview? You can always comment on what we're discussing by sending us a message using our app.