Covid symptoms have become familiar enough that most people can usually spot the standard signs straight away, whether that is fatigue, a cough, fever, or the kind of congestion that seems to arrive all at once.
However, when new versions of the coronavirus pop up with alternative symptoms, that’s where people need to start being careful; the latest version of this is a strain nicknamed ‘Cicada’, which continues to spread, and more people start comparing notes on how it actually feels.
Although the variant does not appear to be rewriting the rulebook when it comes to symptoms, early reports suggest one issue may be hitting harder than expected. Be that as it may, for plenty of people, it is one of the most miserable ones on the list.
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The unusual symptom being linked to the ‘Cicada’ Covid variant is a particularly painful sore throat, with experts saying it may be more noticeable in some cases, even though the overall symptom picture remains largely similar to other Omicron strains.
The variant, also known as BA.3.2, has now been confirmed in Ireland (as reported by Irish Mirror), where it has rapidly gained traction. In the most recent figures cited, it accounted for 44.4 percent of confirmed Covid cases, making it the dominant strain ahead of XFG at 22.2 percent and NB.1.8.1 at 11.1 percent.
First identified in South Africa in November 2024, the strain has since been detected in at least 23 countries, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It was later classified by the World Health Organization as a ‘variant under monitoring’ in December 2025.
Even with that rise, experts say there is currently no sign that Cicada is causing more severe disease than previous strains.
Dr Adolfo Garcia-Sastre, director of the global health and emerging pathogens institute at Mt. Sinai, told TODAY.com: "There's no evidence that BA.3.2 is causing more severe disease or hospitalisations in countries where it's more widespread…It can still cause problems, of course, but it's not a more problematic strain that previous ones."
When it comes to what people should actually watch for, pharmacist Ian Budd said the symptoms are still broadly in line with what has been seen for a while now.
He told Cosmopolitan UK: "In terms of symptoms, it looks very similar to what we've been seeing with other Omicron strains. People should keep an eye out for things like a sore throat, cough, fatigue, fever, headaches and congestion."
On the other hand, he also highlighted the symptom that has started getting extra attention.
Budd added: "Some early reports suggest that a particularly painful sore throat might be more noticeable with this variant, but overall, it's not presenting in a completely new way."
Ireland’s HSE says common Covid symptoms in 2026 also include chills, dry cough, loss or change to smell or taste, nasal congestion, headache, muscle or joint pain, nausea, diarrhoea, dizziness, shortness of breath, confusion, and chest pain or pressure.
Current guidance there says anyone with symptoms who feels unwell should stay at home until 48 hours after symptoms are mostly or fully gone, while people who test positive should stay at home for five days and avoid contact with those at very high risk for 10 days.
Ben Williams