After six years the COVID virus continues to change and mutate. And yet, despite new and emerging variants, many of the most common symptoms indicative of possible infection remain the same, while others may be changing.
Speaking to Yahoo News, Dr. Michael Richardson, MD, a family physician, said “The most common symptoms are fatigue and fever.”
He also reported that other top COVID-19 symptoms in November 2025 include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Body aches
- Shortness of breath (in severe cases)
Scratchy “razorblade” throats were common during the summer of 2025. Some physicians are noticing a little less of this symptom, but others say it’s alive and well.
“We are hearing specifically about severe knifelike sore throat with far less cough as the primary symptom,” says Dr. Nachman, who practices on Long Island in New York. “That is not to say that we don’t also expect fever, body aches and cough to occur, but rather we are seeing more throat complaints than in prior seasons.”
Thankfully, some other dangerous symptoms and side effects of COVID-19 aren’t as prevalent in the fall of 2025. “While we are still seeing some COVID pneumonia, it is much less common than in prior years,” says Dr. Linda Yancey, MD, an infectious disease specialist with Memorial Hermann Health System.
Also, according to the reporting, doctors continue to see far less of two other symptoms once considered COVID-19 hallmarks.
“Early strains of COVID used to make people lose their sense of taste or smell, but that symptom is significantly less common today,” says Dr. Michael Dosik, MD, a primary care physician with Medical Offices of Manhattan.
If you do experience a loss of taste and smell, it’s a telltale sign you probably have COVID-19. However, there’s only one way to tell for sure whether you have COVID-19, the flu or RSV, or none of the above.
“The best way to distinguish between them is by testing,” Dr. Richardson clarifies. “All of them share similar symptoms.”
Luckily, as COVID-19 has evolved, so have we. “Tests come back within minutes, helping to guide treatment plans and to discuss with families the possibility of [preventative strategies] for the household members,” Dr. Nachman shares. “This is especially true for flu, where we have several easily available medications that people in close contact with flu can take to successfully prevent their own illness.”
To Boost or Not to Boost?
The doctors that Yahoo spoke to all felt that it was important to speak to your own personal physician as to whether you should or should not get another COVID booster. They all suggested having a close discussion with your medical provider, who knows your medical history, as well as your age and underlying conditions like diabetes or lung disease that could put you at a greater risk for severe illness and hospitalization.
“In general, it’s important to recognize that these vaccines will help prevent hospitalization and emergency room visits, but not every trace of illnesses,” Dr. Nachman says. “So, yes, it will be important to get these vaccines.”
When should you get your COVID-19 booster? If you’re reading this in November 2025, there’s no time like the present!
“Now is a good time to get a COVID booster,” Dr. Yancey urges. “Though most cases are mild, you can spare yourself a week of fever and cough, and you will be protecting your at-risk friends and family.”