“FLiRT” sounds like a dating app feature. Unfortunately, it’s a family nickname for certain COVID subvariants
(like KP.2 and KP.3) that picked up a pair of spike mutations. And LB.1? It’s basically a close cousin in the same
extended Omicron family tree. The punchline (the un-funny kind): if you catch one of these variants, your body is
still going to act like it caught… COVID.

Here’s the good news: experts from major medical institutions say they’re not seeing a brand-new “signature”
symptom for FLiRT or LB.1. The symptom menu looks a lot like other recent Omicron descendantsheavy on the
upper-respiratory, “is this a cold or did my coworker bring the office plague again?” vibe.

Below are the 11 most common, most talked-about symptoms clinicians and public-health guidance keep
circling back toplus what they tend to feel like, why they happen, and when you should stop Googling and start
testing (or calling a medical professional).

Quick refresher: What are FLiRT and LB.1, exactly?

FLiRT is an informal label for a group of Omicron subvariants descended from JN.1 that share certain spike
mutations. LB.1 is closely related and has an additional change compared with the FLiRT group. Translation:
it’s still SARS-CoV-2, still spread mainly through the air, and still capable of making you feel like you got hit by
a microscopic truckespecially if you’re older, immunocompromised, or have underlying health risks.

What’s changing most from wave to wave isn’t the basic symptom listit’s the mix (which symptoms show up first,
which feel strongest), influenced by immunity from vaccines/prior infection, the dose you were exposed to, and whether
you also picked up another respiratory bug at the same time.

The 11 top FLiRT and LB.1 symptoms (what experts keep seeing)

Important note before we count to 11: symptoms overlap with colds, flu, RSV, allergies, and “I stayed up until 3 a.m.
watching crime documentaries again.” So don’t diagnose yourself from vibes alone. Use testing when possible.

1) Sore throat (the “sandpaper swallow”)

A sore throat is one of the most frequently reported early symptoms with recent COVID lineages. It can start as a mild
scratchiness and escalate into that “why does swallowing feel like a chore?” sensation.

Why it happens: inflammation in the throat from viral irritation, plus post-nasal drip or coughing.

What helps: warm fluids, honey (if you can have it), lozenges, salt-water gargles, rest, and staying hydrated.

When to worry: severe throat pain, trouble swallowing liquids, dehydration, or breathing issuesespecially if you’re high risk.

2) Runny nose

Yes, COVID can look like a classic head cold. A runny nose can show up early, sometimes before fever or cough.
If your nose is producing enough fluid to qualify as “emotional support tissue” territory, COVID is still on the table.

Why it happens: upper-airway inflammation and immune response.

What helps: hydration, saline spray, gentle decongestants (if safe for you), and rest.

3) Congestion (stuffy nose/sinus pressure)

Congestion can show up alone or along with runny nose and headache. Some people describe facial pressure, ear fullness,
or that “my head is packed with cotton” feeling.

Why it happens: swelling of nasal passages and mucus production.

What helps: humidifier/steam, saline rinse, and pacing activity (because overdoing it can worsen fatigue).

4) Cough (often dry, sometimes persistent)

Cough remains a classic. It might be dry and irritating or occasionally productive. For many, it’s worse at night,
because viruses love drama and sleep is apparently optional.

Why it happens: airway irritation and inflammation; sometimes post-nasal drip.

What helps: hydration, warm tea, honey (if appropriate), and OTC cough remedies when safe.

When to worry: worsening shortness of breath, chest pain, blue/gray lips, or cough with significant breathing difficulty.

5) Fever or chills

Fever is your immune system turning up the thermostat to make the virus’s life harder. Some people get a true fever;
others get chills, sweats, or that “I can’t tell if I’m freezing or melting” experience.

Why it happens: immune signaling chemicals that reset your temperature regulation.

What helps: fluids, rest, and fever reducers if appropriate.

6) Fatigue (the “battery at 3%” symptom)

COVID fatigue can be more than “I’m sleepy.” It can feel like your body’s power-saving mode is permanently enabled.
Even mild infections can cause a real energy crash.

Why it happens: immune activation plus the body redirecting energy to fight infection.

What helps: rest, hydration, light nutrition, and avoiding “rage cleaning your whole house” on day two.

Pro tip: if you start feeling better, don’t immediately sprint back into lifepost-viral fatigue can boomerang.

7) Headache

Headache can arrive with congestion, fever, dehydration, or general inflammation. Sometimes it’s a dull pressure; other times,
it’s a “who authorized this marching band inside my skull?” situation.

What helps: fluids, rest, managing fever, and OTC pain relief when appropriate.

When to worry: severe “worst headache of your life,” neurologic symptoms, or persistent headache with concerning signs.

8) Muscle or body aches

Aches can show up like you did a full-body workout you do not remember consenting to. This is common across respiratory viruses,
including COVID.

Why it happens: inflammation and immune response.

What helps: rest, gentle movement if tolerated, hydration, and OTC pain relief if appropriate.

9) Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

This one is less “annoying symptom” and more “pay attention.” Many cases are mild and don’t progress here, especially with immunity,
but breathing issues can occur and should be taken seriouslyparticularly for older adults and people with health conditions.

Watch for: breathlessness at rest, trouble speaking full sentences, worsening symptoms over days, or low oxygen readings if you monitor them.

Get medical help urgently if breathing becomes difficult, you have chest pain/pressure, confusion, or blue/gray lips/face.

10) Nausea or vomiting

COVID isn’t only a “lungs and nose” virus. Some people get nausea, reduced appetite, or vomitingsometimes early in infection.
It’s also one reason people occasionally mislabel COVID as “a stomach bug.”

What helps: small sips of fluids, bland foods as tolerated, and monitoring for dehydration.

Extra note: certain antivirals and medications can also affect the stomachso timing matters when you’re sorting symptoms.

11) Diarrhea (or other GI upset)

Diarrhea can happen with COVID, and experts have noted it’s often overlooked. Some people have GI symptoms with few or no classic respiratory signs.
Not fun, not glamorous, and definitely not a personality trait you want.

What helps: hydration (electrolytes if needed), rest, and watching for dehydration.

When to worry: inability to keep fluids down, dizziness, severe abdominal pain, blood in stool, or symptoms that rapidly worsen.

Why FLiRT and LB.1 often feel like a cold (and why that’s tricky)

Experts emphasize that with today’s population immunity (from vaccines and prior infections), many cases present as milder
upper-respiratory illnessmore sore throat, congestion, and fatigue than the dramatic lower-lung symptoms that were more common earlier.
That doesn’t mean COVID is “just a cold.” It means your immune system is better trained for many people, while high-risk groups can still
become very ill.

Another curveball: coinfections. You can catch COVID and another virus (or bacterial infection) around the same time, which can remix your symptoms.
And the same person can have different symptom clusters in different infectionsrespiratory one time, GI the next.

COVID vs cold vs flu vs allergies: how to avoid guessing wrong

Symptom overlap is real. Congestion and sore throat can look like a cold or allergies. Fever and body aches can look like flu.
And sometimes COVID is mild enough to masquerade as “I’m just tired.”

• If you have a fever plus cough/aches/fatigue, flu or COVID jump higher on the list.
• If you have sudden severe body aches and high fever, flu is a strong contender.
• If you have itchy eyes, sneezing, and no fever, allergies become more likely (but not guaranteed).
• If you’re unsure, testing beats guessingespecially if you’ll be around older adults or immunocompromised people.

What to do if you suspect FLiRT or LB.1

Step 1: Test early (and consider repeating)

If symptoms start, an at-home antigen test can be helpful. If the first test is negative but symptoms continue, repeat testing over the next day or two.
Timing matters because viral levels rise and fall.

Step 2: Protect other people while you figure it out

Stay home when you’re sick when possible. If you must be around others, consider masking and improving ventilation.
Keep distance from high-risk people until you know what you’re dealing with.

Step 3: Treat symptoms like you would any respiratory virus

Rest, fluids, and simple supportive care go a long way. Over-the-counter options can help with fever, aches, sore throat,
and congestion when appropriate for your health situation.

Step 4: If you’re high risk, ask about antivirals quickly

Antivirals are time-sensitivemost work best when started early after symptoms begin. If you’re older, immunocompromised,
pregnant, or have certain chronic conditions, contact a clinician promptly to discuss eligibility.

When to seek urgent or emergency care

Get urgent medical evaluation if you have:

• Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath at rest, or worsening breathing
• Chest pain or pressure
• New confusion, severe weakness, or inability to stay awake
• Blue/gray lips or face
• Signs of dehydration (very little urination, dizziness, inability to keep fluids down)

Real-world experiences : what people say FLiRT/LB.1 infections feel like

Because FLiRT and LB.1 don’t come with a flashy, exclusive symptom stamp, the lived experience often sounds
suspiciously ordinaryuntil you’re the one living it.

A common story starts with the throat. People describe waking up with a scratchy, dry feelinglike they slept with their
mouth open in a room full of desert air. At first it’s easy to dismiss: “Probably allergies.” Then the throat irritation
sticks around, and by afternoon the nose joins the party. Suddenly you’re congested, you’re sniffly, and you’re negotiating
with yourself about whether you really need to go to that meeting or if society will survive without you for 24 hours
(spoiler: it will).

Day two is where the plot tends to thicken. Many people report fatigue that feels disproportionate to the visible symptoms.
It’s not always a dramatic fever. Instead, it’s an energy dip so deep that folding laundry feels like training for a triathlon.
Some people describe “brain fog lite”not necessarily long COVID, but a short-term sluggishness where concentrating is harder,
your reaction time feels slow, and your motivation quietly sneaks out the back door.

Another frequent pattern is the “cold + flu sampler platter.” You might have a headache that pulses behind the eyes (especially
with congestion), plus body aches that make you question whether you accidentally joined a boot camp in your sleep. The cough,
when it shows up, is often dry and irritatingmore nagging than dramatic. People sometimes notice it worsens at night, turning
bedtime into an audition for a cough-drop commercial.

GI symptoms are the surprise guests that many folks don’t immediately associate with COVID. Some people report nausea, appetite loss,
or diarrhea that pops up earlysometimes before the respiratory symptoms fully develop. That can lead to confusion: “Is this food poisoning?
A stomach bug?” And because GI issues can happen without a big cough or fever, some people delay testingonly to realize later that COVID was
the uninvited chef.

People who are vaccinated and boosted often describe a shorter, more “compressed” illness: a few rough days followed by gradual improvement.
Othersespecially those with risk factorsreport a longer recovery arc where fatigue lingers and workouts feel impossible for a while. One of the
biggest experiential takeaways is that pacing matters. Folks who try to “power through” on the first day they feel better sometimes
describe a rebound in fatigue or symptoms. Not always, but often enough that it’s become a common piece of practical wisdom:
when your body asks for rest, it’s not negotiating.

The most consistent “experience,” though, is emotional: frustration. Because these symptoms overlap with everything, people find it annoying that
the responsible move is still to test. But many also report relief once they know what it isbecause then they can make a plan: isolate to protect
others, monitor symptoms appropriately, and (if high risk) talk to a clinician early about antivirals. In a weird way, clarity is calmingeven if the
answer is “Yep, it’s COVID again. Love that for us.”

Bottom line

FLiRT and LB.1 symptoms generally match the usual COVID playbook: sore throat, congestion/runny nose, cough, fever/chills, fatigue, headache,
body aches, and sometimes GI upsetplus the occasional loss of taste/smell. If your symptoms line up, the smartest move is to test, rest, and protect
higher-risk people around you. And if you’re high risk, don’t waitearly treatment conversations can matter.

The post 11 Top COVID FLiRT and LB.1 Symptoms, According to Experts appeared first on Global Travel Notes.