The current COVID-19 variants remain very transmissible and particularly worrisome as we head into the holiday season.

As of now, BA.5 remains the dominant strain in the country but just barely, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. BQ.1.1 and BQ.1 make up just under half of new COVID-19 infections.

The current strains, which are all omicron subvariants, are unique for reasons beyond their transmissibility, too. They also can cause some different symptoms compared to earlier strains of the virus.

Here, experts share the COVID-19 symptoms that are most common right now and other differences theyve seen with these current variants.

Like other recent variants, a sore throat is a very common symptom with BA.5, BQ.1.1 and BQ.1.

According to David Souleles , the director of the COVID-19 Response Team at the University of California, Irvine, the most common symptoms of recent COVID infections include congestion, fatigue, headaches and runny noses.

Some of the most ubiquitous issues, though? Here at [University of California, Irvine] Contact Tracing and Vaccine Navigation Services, campus cases are reporting sore throats and coughs quite frequently, he said.

However, its important to remember that this may not be exclusive to BA.5., BQ.1.1 or BQ.1. It takes the scientific community time to compile recent infection data since variants change so quickly, Souleles said. And the medical community doesnt know on an individual patient level who has what variant. Plus, your COVID-19 PCR test or at-home test will only tell you if you are positive or negative, not what variant you had.

Overall, people feel pretty sick or wiped out when they have it.

[This strain is] causing bad cold to flu-like illness, said Dr. Pritish Tosh , an infectious diseases physician and researcher at Mayo Clinic. And exact symptoms and severity tend to vary depending on many factors, including age, medical history and infection history.

But, Souleles said, if you talk to the average person who had COVID, many will tell you its the sickest theyve ever been without going to the hospital.

Think persistent headache, frequent cough and restless nights as a result. Plus, the overwhelming anxiety that having COVID-19 brings. Additionally, theres also the risk of long COVID. Its estimated that about 16 million people may have the condition after being infected with the virus. So, even though the symptoms may be described as or seen as mild , there are still issues that can happen.