Summertime sneezes and coughs explained: Understanding summer colds in relation to the COVID-19 strain known as stratus
As the 2025-2026 respiratory virus season progresses, COVID-19 infections are on the rise across much of the United States. According to recent data, test positivity for COVID-19 has increased nationally from 8.9% to 9.9%, with parts of the south-central US reaching as high as 15% positivity [1][2][5]. Emergency department visits and hospitalizations for COVID-19 are also trending upward, particularly among young children, though death rates remain low.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified the XFG variant, nicknamed stratus, as the most common variant in the U.S. This variant is known to cause a "razor blade" sore throat [4]. However, the WHO states that the XFG variant is only marginally better at evading people's immune systems, and vaccines still work against it [4].
In contrast, influenza activity remains at baseline levels, with little to no increase in cases or hospitalizations [3][5]. Similarly, general acute respiratory illness, including colds, is at very low levels, with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity also very low [5].
Dr. Frank LoVecchio, an emergency room doctor and Arizona State University researcher, suggests that summer can be considered the "cold season" in places where it gets very hot for a long time, as there is an increase in respiratory virus cases when people head indoors during hot weather [6].
The American Academy of Pediatrics still endorses COVID-19 shots for children older than 6 months [7]. For otherwise healthy individuals, timing is crucial when getting a vaccine. Doctors advise getting it a few weeks before significant events or in anticipation of winter cases of COVID-19 [8].
The same precautions that help prevent colds, flu, and COVID-19 at any other time of the year also work during the summer. These include spending time outside, washing hands, wearing masks, and staying home if sick [9].
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated in May that COVID-19 shots would no longer be recommended for healthy kids, a decision that health experts have said lacks scientific basis [10]. People at higher risk of complications should consult their doctors about the number of boosters they may need.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) wastewater data estimates "moderate" COVID-19 activity [5]. For those who are at higher risk of complications, it may be worth waiting until the fall for most people to get boosted, as advised by Dr. Costi Sifri of the University of Virginia Health System [8].
References:
[1] CDC. (2025). COVID-19 Data Tracker: State, Territorial, and County View. Retrieved from https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/
[2] COVID-19: State and County Data. (2025). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/covid-data/covidview/
[3] CDC. (2025). FluView: Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/index.htm
[4] LoVecchio, F. (2025). New COVID-19 variant "XFG" (nicknamed stratus) is most common in the U.S. Retrieved from https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/health/2025/07/15/new-covid-19-variant-xf-nicknamed-stratus-most-common-us/199879839/
[5] CDC. (2025). COVID-19 in the U.S. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/cases-in-us.html
[6] LoVecchio, F. (2025). Summer can be considered the cold season in places where it gets very hot for a long time. Retrieved from https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/health/2025/07/22/summer-cold-season-places-get-very-hot-long-time/206788419/
[7] American Academy of Pediatrics. (2025). COVID-19 Vaccines for Children. Retrieved from https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/news-features-and-safety-tips/pages/COVID-19-Vaccines-for-Children.aspx
[8] Sifri, C. (2025). Wait until fall for most people to get boosted, advises University of Virginia Health System doctor. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/08/19/wait-until-fall-for-most-people-to-get-boosted-advises-university-of-virginia-health-system-doctor/
[9] CDC. (2025). How to Protect Yourself & Others. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html
[10] Kennedy Jr., R. F. (2025, May 17). COVID-19 shots no longer recommended for healthy kids, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/05/17/covid-19-shots-no-longer-recommended-healthy-kids-health-secretary-robert-f-kennedy-jr-says/
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