Patient advocate:
Here we go again!
A new, “highly mutated” COVID strain is quickly gaining ground around the country, according to new data. This time, unlike in 2020, it’s barely causing a ripple in the headlines — and that’s a good thing.
Still, it pays to be aware of it if you’re in one of the vulnerable populations — over 65, immunocompromised, underlying health conditions such as diabetes or heart disease. If it’s been six months or more since your last immunization, roll up your sleeve again for your 412th COVID shot. (An exaggeration, but isn’t that what it feels like?)
This variant, BA.3.2, is nicknamed “Cicada” because, like the rarely emerging insect, it has largely remained undetected or “underground” since its discovery, Dr. Robert H. Hopkins Jr., medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, told USA Today.
It’s considered highly mutated because its 70 or so mutations distinguish it from the JN.1 strain, which has predominated over the last two years.
Most people are either vaccinated or have had COVID, so there’s a fair amount of immunity out there. Cicada may be able to evade current immunity; however, public health officials say that the vaccine in current use, which was based on JN.1, will very likely keep you out of the hospital with a serious illness even if you do get COVID.
Other people who should consider a vaccine, according to public health experts, are health-care workers, caregivers, those in high-contact environments (teachers, college students) and pregnant women. Of course, you should go with your doctor’s recommendations.
The symptoms are what we’ve come to expect: joint and muscle aches, fever, coughing, sore throat.
COVID tests on the market are considered highly effective at detecting the virus, even Cicada, especially if you take it within 24 to 48 hours of noticing symptoms. If you do have COVID, you’ll want to steer clear of those who are unvaccinated or who have underlying medical conditions.
While COVID is no longer as serious as it was during the pandemic’s heyday, it nonetheless caused an estimated 390,000 to 550,000 hospitalizations and 45,000 to 64,000 deaths during the 2024—2025 respiratory virus season, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. So it’s nothing to be trifled with.
Cases are not overwhelming right now, but they are surging in parts of the country. How do officials know this?
Poop.
The viruses that cause COVID and other infectious diseases are shed through a person’s stool. Public wastewater treatment facilities actively monitor wastewater for signs of not just COVID but also RSV, flu and measles. The purpose is to keep health officials informed of disease trends; help determine testing and treatment plans; decide locations of vaccination clinics or testing locations; and help hospitals plan for possible surges in admissions.
CDC’s wastewater monitoring program, also known as the National Wastewater Surveillance System (NWSS), monitors infectious diseases through wastewater across the country at more than 1,200 sites. There’s even an online dashboard, WasteWaterSCAN, which was started by Stanford University (wastewaterscan.org).
Through wastewater, CDC tracked the presence of Cicada in 25 states, including Illinois.
The Illinois Wastewater Surveillance System (IWSS.uillinois.edu), started by the University of Illinois system and the Illinois Department of Public Health, partners with 79 local treatment plants to help local leaders and residents take early action to support wellness, protect families, and strengthen the overall health of communities.
These folks work hard to help improve the health of our communities and our fellow citizens. We can help their effort by getting a COVID vaccine if our doctor recommends it and staying alert to the symptoms to avoid spreading it.
• Teri (Dreher) Frykenberg, R.N., a registered nurse and board-certified patient advocate, is the founder of www.NurseAdvocateEntrepreneur.com, which trains medical professionals to become successful private patient advocates. She is the author of “How to Be a Healthcare Advocate for Yourself & Your Loved Ones” and her new book, “Advocating Well: Strategies for Finding Strength and Understanding in Health Care,” available at Amazon.com. Contact her at Teri@NurseAdvocateEntrepreneur.com to set up a free phone consultation.