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These Are the Most Common COVID-19 Symptoms Doctors Are Seeing Right Now

By Jessica Sager Parade - Health Stories

Updated May 1, 2026 2:34 PM

While cold and flu season is nearing its end for this cycle, COVID-19 is still lurking about and messing with our spring and summer plans six years post-pandemic-on top of seasonal allergies for those sensitive to pollen.

Allergy season can make COVID particularly tricky, because a lot of allergy symptoms-think congestion, runny nose, headache, coughing and sore throat-can mimic those of COVID-19, giving some a false sense of safety amid their discomfort: You may assume your nose is stuffy because you ate lunch in your garden on a warm day, when in actuality, you may be sick and at risk of spreading germs and viruses to others.

While most people with healthy immune systems will find that having coronavirus is crummy, for immunocompromised people, older people and individuals with other conditions that can lead to complications, it can be quite dangerous.

To protect those people, as well as yourself, pay close attention to the COVID symptoms that doctors are observing most in May 2026-and find out how to feel better fast.

What Are the Most Common COVID-19 Symptoms in May 2026?

There is at least some good news here, according to Dr. Tyler Evans, MD, infectious disease specialist and founder and CEO of Wellness Equity Alliance.

"The 2026 COVID-19 presentation looks much more like an upper respiratory infection (URI or ‘common cold') than the deep lung illness we saw in 2020," Dr. Evans tells Parade. "The most common symptoms right now are sore throat-often quite intense-along with nasal congestion, cough, fatigue, headache and low-grade fever."

More good news? You'll likely still have your sense of taste and smell if you get a COVID infection now.

"Body aches, chills and gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea and diarrhea show up in a smaller share of cases," Dr. Evans adds. "The honest truth is that without a test, you cannot reliably distinguish a current COVID-19 infection from the common cold. In fact, COVID-19 will increasingly be thought of as the constellation of viruses that contribute to the common cold."

"Fun fact: Prior to the pandemic, the alpha-coronavirus (which is different from beta, which causes COVID-19), represented up to 20% of respiratory infections," Dr. Evans notes. "Nevertheless, the symptoms have converged. That is why if someone in a high-risk category gets sick, I tell them to test early rather than guess."

"Interestingly, with the Stratus variant, we have anecdotally seen patients presenting with a sore throat more than previous strains," Dr. Michael J. Davis, DO, MPH, infectious disease specialist at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne, Ind., tells Parade.

Dr. Steven Goldberg, MD, MBA,primary care physician and chief medical officer at HealthTrackRx, breaks it down numerically: "Across multiple large prospective studies, the five most frequently reported symptoms during Omicron-lineage infections have been cough (approximately 94%), sputum/congestion (approximately 88%), sore throat (approximately 86%), runny nose (approximately 85%) and lethargy (approximately 81%)."

According to Dr. Joseph Bresee, MD, director of the Partnership for International Vaccine Initiatives at the Task Force for Global Health, "Some individuals will become more severely ill, experiencing shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. Children are more likely to have GI symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting."

Dr. Bresee, like yours truly, wants to remind you that COVID is not a cold, especially to vulnerable individuals. "Remember, COVID-19 can be serious," he says. "If you have trouble breathing, see a health care provider because the virus can cause pneumonia and life-threatening illness. If you have a chronic illness, like lung disease, and you become ill, call your doctor to see if you need a prescription for medicines to treat COVID-19."

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What Are the Most Common COVID-19 Variants Right Now?

"As of late April, the dominant variants in the United States are XFG, also known as Stratus, and its descendants like XFG.1.1, along with NB.1.8.1, called Nimbus," Dr. Evans tells Parade. "Both are part of the Omicron family. The variant attracting the most attention is BA.3.2, nicknamed "Cicada," which carries multiple spike protein mutations that suggest potential immune escape properties. While Cicada is climbing in wastewater data, it has not yet displaced Stratus or Nimbus and current evidence does not indicate more severe disease outcomes."

That doesn't mean it's harmless, however. "The concern lies not in immediate severity but in its capacity to evade existing immunity, potentially undermining protection from previous infections and vaccinations," Dr. Evans points out. "The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) genomic surveillance has been substantially reduced over the past year, so our picture of what is circulating is genuinely less precise than it was two years ago. That matters. Surveillance is the early-warning system, and we are flying with fewer instruments."

How Can I Protect Myself from COVID-19?

For the love of Pete, please get vaccinated!

Dr. Snehal Smart, MD, patient advocate at the Mesothelioma Center, says, "The COVID vaccines significantly reduce the number of COVID cases; protect people at high risk, such as cancer patients and immunocompromised individuals and can create herd immunity if enough of the population has gained protection against this virus."

Dr. Smart is far from alone. Literally every medical expert with whom we spoke recommends vaccines and boosters to protect not just you, but everyone you come into contact with, from severe COVID infections.

"COVID vaccines remain extremely effective at preventing you from serious illness [that can lead to] hospitalization and/or progression to death," Dr. Shruti Gohil, MD, MPH, associate medical director of epidemiology and infection prevention at UCI Health, explains. "This includes protection against the current strains."

And another!

"COVID vaccines are still VERY IMPORTANT," Dr. Andrew Benin, MD, primary care physician and co-founder of BeninMed, tells Parade, emphasis his own. "They're not designed to completely stop infections, but they have been proven to significantly reduce the risk of severe disease, hospitalization and death. In my opinion, that's the most important thing, especially for our elderly patients and immunocompromised population which is ever growing. Vaccination is still one of the highest yield preventions that we have."

What's the Quickest Way To Get Rid of COVID Symptoms?

Obviously, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, as the old adage goes, so just in case we didn't convince you already, we'll let Dr. Carlos Zambrano, MD, infectious disease specialist at Loretto Hospital in Chicago, explain.

"Vaccination and staying up to date on boosters remain the best protection against COVID, especially for people who are older or who have chronic health conditions," Dr. Zambrano advises. "If someone does get sick, supportive care is important. This includes drinking plenty of fluids, getting adequate rest, and using over-the-counter medications to help with fever and body aches. Antiviral treatment such as Paxlovid may also be recommended by a doctor depending on the person's health history and risk factors."

How Long Should I Isolate if I Test Positive for COVID-19?

If you have COVID symptoms, Dr. Smith says, "This has changed since the five-day rule and, in general, follows a standard symptom approach. Stay home and away from others until your symptoms improve and you have no fevers for 24 hours."

If you're asymptomatic but test positive, Dr. Smith says, the advice is similar.

"This is a little trickier, but it really is the same as the last, which is symptom-based," he says. "They suggest the same as above after symptoms improve and no fevers: Masking, distancing, ventilation, staying away from those vulnerable and additional testing."

Dr. Zambrano advises that even if you're asymptomatic, if you test positive, wear a mask for 10 days (from your test date) when you're around others. Remember, their lives are just as valuable as yours!

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This story was originally published May 1, 2026 at 2:25 PM.