If you’ve woken up with a scratchy throat lately and wondered if it’s just the dry winter air or something else, you aren't alone. Honestly, keeping up with the "alphabet soup" of virus names has become a full-time job.
So, what is the current COVID variant exactly?
👉 See also: The Science Behind Images of Cheer Up and Why Your Brain Craves Them
As of January 2026, the primary driver behind most cases is a subvariant officially labeled XFG, though you’ll likely hear scientists and news anchors calling it Stratus. It’s the dominant player in the United States and much of Europe right now. If you feel like everyone you know is getting sick at the same time, Stratus is probably why. It's essentially the latest evolution of the Omicron family, specifically a hybrid of two older lineages (LF.7 and LP.8.1.2) that teamed up to become even stickier.
Why the Stratus Variant Is Different
The big thing with Stratus is how it binds to your cells. It’s got these specific mutations that make it "grip" onto the respiratory tract a bit tighter than the variants we saw last year, like Nimbus (NB.1.8.1).
Basically, it's more transmissible. It spreads faster in schools, offices, and during those post-holiday family gatherings where everyone is packed indoors.
But here is the silver lining: while it's spreading like wildfire, doctors aren't seeing a massive spike in severe disease for most healthy people. Dr. Ashley Lipps, an infectious disease physician at Ohio State, has noted that while XFG is definitely getting around, it doesn't seem to be more dangerous than its predecessors. We’re seeing a lot of "nuisance" illness—missing a week of work, feeling like garbage—rather than the scary lung complications from the early 2020s.
The Symptoms Most People Are Reporting
If you catch it, don't expect it to feel exactly like the 2020 version of COVID. The "classic" loss of taste and smell? That’s actually becoming pretty rare. Instead, the hallmark of the current COVID variant is a persistent, severe sore throat.
Some people describe it as feeling like they swallowed glass or "razor blades." Here is the typical breakdown of what people are feeling:
- The Sore Throat: Usually the very first sign. It starts as a tickle and becomes painful within 24 hours.
- Congestion and Runny Nose: It feels a lot like a heavy sinus cold.
- Fatigue: This is the "hit by a truck" feeling where you just can't get off the couch.
- Dry Cough: It might linger for a week or two after the other symptoms fade.
- Headaches: Often felt behind the eyes or as general pressure.
Is Your Vaccine Still Working?
You might be wondering if that shot you got in late 2025 is even doing anything against XFG.
📖 Related: How Well Does Birth Control Work? The Reality vs. The Label
The short answer is yes, but with a caveat.
The current 2025-2026 vaccine formula was actually designed to target the LP strain, which is a close relative of Stratus. Because XFG is a hybrid, your immune system still recognizes it. It's not a "perfect" match, but it's close enough to keep most people out of the hospital.
CDC data from early January 2026 shows that while "breakthrough" infections are common—meaning you can still get sick—the vaccine is significantly lowering the risk of ending up in the ER.
What About Testing?
Home tests are still a bit finicky with these newer variants. Because the virus often starts in the throat now before moving to the nose, some doctors are suggesting (off-label) that a quick swab of the back of the throat before the nostrils might give a more accurate result.
✨ Don't miss: How to Deal With Bad Breath Without Just Hiding Behind Mints
If you feel sick but test negative on day one, test again on day three. These newer strains sometimes take a few days to build up enough protein in your nose to trigger a positive result on a rapid test.
How to Manage It at Home
If you do test positive for the current COVID variant, the protocol hasn't changed much, but our collective "immunity wall" makes it easier for most.
First, don't panic. For the vast majority of people, this is a 5-to-10-day ordeal.
Hydration is your best friend. Since the sore throat is so prominent, cold liquids or honey-based teas are lifesavers. Over-the-counter stuff like Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen works fine for the aches.
If you are over 65 or have underlying issues like diabetes or a heart condition, call your doctor immediately. Paxlovid and other antivirals are still effective against the Stratus variant, but they have to be started within the first five days of symptoms to do their job.
When to Actually Worry
While we’ve moved into a "milder" era of the pandemic, "mild" is a relative term. You should still keep an eye out for red flags. If you find yourself struggling to catch your breath while just sitting still, or if your oxygen levels (if you have a pulse oximeter) dip below 95%, it's time to head to urgent care.
Also, watch for the "rebound." Sometimes people feel better on day four, only to have a high fever return on day seven. If that happens, don't just tough it out; get checked for secondary infections like pneumonia.
The Big Picture for 2026
The reality is that SARS-CoV-2 is now behaving more like a seasonal respiratory guest. It’s not going away, but it is becoming more predictable. The Yale study released just a few weeks ago in early January suggests the virus is actually losing its ability to jump back and forth between humans and animals as easily, which might mean fewer "wildcard" variants in the future.
For now, the best move is to stay aware of what's circulating in your specific area. The CDC’s wastewater tracking is still the "gold standard" for knowing if a surge is hitting your city before the local news even mentions it.
Actionable Steps You Can Take Now
- Check your test kit expiration dates. Most of those boxes in your junk drawer are likely expired, though the FDA has extended the dates on many—check their website before tossing them.
- Upgrade your mask for travel. If you're heading on a plane or crowded train, those flimsy blue surgical masks don't do much against a variant as "sticky" as Stratus. Stick to an N95 or KN95.
- Optimize your indoor air. If you're hosting people, even cracking a window a few inches or running a HEPA filter can drastically cut down the viral load in a room.
- Monitor your local "weather." Check the CDC’s wastewater dashboard once a week. If levels are "High" or "Very High" in your county, maybe skip the indoor concert for a week or two.
- Get the 2025-2026 booster. If it’s been more than six months since your last shot or infection, your antibody levels are likely low. Giving your immune system a "refresher" is the best way to ensure a Stratus infection stays a minor inconvenience rather than a major problem.