Symptoms of the 'Cicada' COVID variant, detected in at least 25 states

A "highly mutated" COVID-19 variant that has been detected in at least 25 states is gaining ground, according to health authorities.

Nicknamed "Cicada," BA.3.2 is on the list of variants being tracked by both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization, as its spread picked up internationally late last year. Though it was first detected in 2024, it only recently started accounting for a notable number of infections, ballooning to represent up to 30% of COVID-19 infections in some Eastern European countries as of February.

Experts have said the mutated nature of BA.3.2 makes it more effective at evading vaccination formulations and immune systems that have built a resistance to other COVID-19 infections. This has the potential to cause another "summer surge" in the coming months, as previously reported by USA TODAY.

Here's what to know about "Cicada," or variant BA.3.2:

What is the COVID variant 'Cicada' (BA.3.2)?

"Cicada" is a nickname given to BA.3.2, a COVID-19 variant. It was first detected in a person who did not live in but was traveling to the United States from abroad in June 2025 and was nicknamed after the rarely emerging insects because it has largely remained undetected or "underground" since its discovery, Dr. Robert H. Hopkins Jr., medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, previously told USA TODAY.

The first local case in a U.S. patient was diagnosed in January, he said. Between then and the latest available data from Feb. 11, it was detected in wastewater samples from 132 sites across at least 25 states, according to the CDC. The variant was also present in samples from travelers' voluntary nose swabs. Cases began increasing worldwide in September 2025.

The variant is considered "highly mutated," as its 70-75 mutations make it distinct from the JN.1 lineage, which has been the source of the predominant U.S. strains over the last two years, according to Hopkins.

What are the symptoms of the Cicada variant?

Like most other variants, the symptoms of the Cicada variant are the same as those of other COVID-19 variant infections. According to the CDC, these may include:

• Runny or stuffy nose
• Fever
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Sneezing
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Muscle pain or body aches
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Changes to the sense of smell or taste

Some later variants have been associated with "razorblade throat," or an extremely sore throat. 

"I have not seen any data which indicates that Cicada is any more severe than other circulating variants," Hopkins said. "Severe sore throat is reported as a common symptom along with other typical COVID symptoms."

How to tell the difference between COVID, flu, other seasonal illnesses

The symptoms of COVID-19 infection, regardless of which variant, are often described as "flu-like," making them sometimes difficult to discern from other seasonal illnesses.

The only surefire way to determine if you have the flu, COVID-19, or another respiratory illness is to get tested. According to the CDC, you generally cannot tell the difference between flu and COVID-19 by the symptoms alone, because so many overlap.

Some are slightly more common in one illness over the other. A significant change to or total loss of taste or smell, especially that lasting a long time without an obvious cause, is more commonly associated with COVID-19, the CDC said. Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing is also more often a sign of COVID-19 than the flu.

COVID-19 infections also tend to appear a bit later after exposure than the flu. Whereas symptoms typically appear one to four days after exposure for flu, COVID-19 symptoms can appear two to five days, and even up to 14 days, after infection.

What to do if you test positive

While mutations could mean existing COVID-19 boosters may not prevent infection as effectively, they can still offer protection against severe disease and death, especially as vaccine formulations catch up.

"When sick, get tested. If positive, stay home until better and confirm with a negative test. If that's not possible, wear a fit N95 mask," Rajendram Rajnarayanan, assistant dean of research and associate professor at the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University, previously told USA TODAY. "Get boosted as soon as it's available. It works against all of the top circulating lineages, including XBB.1.16, EG.5.1, FL.1.5.1, etc."

If you believe you may have COVID-19 or test positive, the CDC suggests several ways to treat the symptoms and stop the spread.

• Stay home and separate from others.
• Improve ventilation in your home.
• Wear an N95 or other high-quality mask when around other people.  
• Keep up to date on COVID-19 vaccines and boosters.
• Monitor symptoms and stay in touch with your healthcare provider.
• Take medications and treatments as prescribed.
• Rest and use over-the-counter medications to manage symptoms like headaches.
• Practice hygiene such as washing hands often and cleaning shared surfaces.
• Use their testing and treatment location tool to find resources in your area.