New COVID variant FLiRT has emerged. Here are the symptoms to watch for

Brandi D. Addison, USA TODAY NETWORK

A new set of COVID-19 variants is emerging — and they've already made their way to Texas.

The two KP.1.1 and KP.2 variants, nicknamed FLiRT, have quickly become the dominant strains and now makeup 32% of all coronavirus cases in the nation, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Here's what to watch for.

Symptoms of COVID 'FLiRT' variant

Megan L. Ranney, dean of the Yale School of Public Health, told WebMD that FLiRT has some concerning features, like changes in the spike protein, which play a role in helping SARS-CoV-2 colonize the body and make people sick, USA TODAY reported.

The "FLiRT" variant has other symptoms similar to those from JN.1, which include:

  • Fever or chills

  • Cough

  • Sore throat

  • Congestion or runny nose

  • Headache

  • Muscle aches

  • Difficulty breathing

  • Fatigue

  • New loss of taste or smell

  • "Brain fog" (feeling less wakeful and aware)

  • Gastrointestinal symptoms (upset stomach, mild diarrhea, vomiting)

The CDC noted that the list does not include all possible symptoms and that symptoms may change with new variants and can vary by person.

In general, the agency says, people with COVID-19 have a wide range of symptoms, ranging from mild to severe illness. Symptoms may appear two to 14 days after exposure.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: COVID variant FLiRT symptoms to watch for as it spreads to Texas

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