What are the signs and symptoms of KP.3.1.1?

(Gray News) - COVID-19 cases are rising and KP.3.1.1 is the predominant variant in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The variant accounted for between 31% and 43% of the cases in the two-week period ending on Aug. 17.

KP.3.1.1 is currently the only major variant increasing in proportion nationally, according to the CDC.

Emergency room visits diagnosed as COVID-19 started increasing in May in the West and are now the highest in the South and Southeast. The wastewater viral activity level for COVID-19 has been rising since mid-May and is currently very high across most parts of the country, according to the CDC.

Signs and symptoms of COVID-19 can include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or trouble breathing, sore throat, runny nose or congestion, fatigue, loss of taste or smell, muscle or body aches, headache, nausea or vomiting and diarrhea.

Some people may have no symptoms.

If you test positive for COVID-19, the CDC advises returning to normal activities after 24 hours once symptoms start improving. If you have had a fever, wait until you have been fever-free without medication.

The CDC recommends “enhancing hygiene practices, wearing a well-fitting mask, keeping a distance from others and/or getting tested for respiratory illness” for five days.

The CDC recommends everyone over the age of 6 months get an updated COVID-19 each year. Updated Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines will be available in the fall.