Despite common myths about germs in the summer, and also because several viruses actually do have lower activity levels during the warmer months, many people experiencing symptoms may be confused about what they’ve come down with. However, it is still possible to contract a cold, flu, or COVID-19 during the summer.
Have COVID-19 symptoms changed in August 2025?
According to NHS sources, the core symptoms remain the same as earlier in the pandemic:
- High temperature (you feel hot to touch on your chest or back)
- New, continuous cough (coughing continually for an hour or 3+ episodes in 24 hours)
- Loss or change to your sense of taste or smell
However, with the rise of new variants such as XFG (“Stratus”) and NB.1.8.1 (“Nimbus”), additional symptoms are being reported more often:
- Hoarseness or raspy voice (“scratchy voice”) as a notable symptom of Stratus
- Razor‑blade sore throat and swollen neck glands have also been flagged for certain new strains along with the usual fever and body aches
UKHSA surveillance confirms that while these variants may bring broadened symptom combinations, the overall severity hasn’t increased. So, while additional symptoms occur, the NHS still uses the original three as the main “red‑flag” signs.
COVID-19 numbers in the UK (Summer 2025)
The National Flu and COVID‑19 weekly surveillance report for week ending 27 July 2025 (week 30/31) shows:
- COVID‑19 activity is low and circulating at baseline levels, with laboratory PCR positivity at ~6.1% (down from 6.5% the previous week)
- GP swabbing positivity at ~7.4%, down from 8.1% the week before
Variants sequencing shows XFG (Stratus) is now the most prevalent lineage.
The Office for National Statistics bulletin for week ending 4 July (week 27) reports total UK deaths at ~10,018; deaths involving COVID‑19 account for 0.5% of total (~51 registered), with COVID‑19 as an underlying cause in 0.4% (~39 deaths).
Overall, the data indicates low levels of COVID‑19 transmission and impact at this time of year.
Distinguishing COVID-19 from a common cold or hay fever
In summer, many mild sniffles may be mistaken for COVID‑19, especially with hay fever or seasonal respiratory viruses.
Cold vs COVID-19:
- Common cold typically causes a runny or blocked nose, sneezing, sore throat, and mild cough. Fever, loss of taste/smell, and body aches are rare.
- COVID‑19 is more likely to cause fever, full loss of taste or smell, unexplained fatigue, and muscle aches.
Hay fever (seasonal allergies) vs COVID-19:
- Hay fever symptoms include sneezing, runny or blocked nose, sometimes headaches or loss of smell (less common).
- COVID‑19, especially variants like Nimbus, may mimic allergy symptoms (sneezing, congestion, mild headache), but key differences are:
- Fever is uncommon in hay fever but common in COVID
- Complete loss of taste or smell, severe fatigue, body aches, gastro symptoms (nausea, diarrhoea) point to COVID.
Other illnesses that may mimic COVID in summer
Several other seasonal or respiratory illnesses may be confused with COVID‑19:
- RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) and seasonal influenza are reported at low or baseline levels in summer but still present.
- Summer colds can cause runny nose, sore throat, and a mild/brief cough.
- Pollen allergies (hay fever) remain active through late summer and mimic mild upper respiratory infection symptoms, without the fever.
- Occasionally, summer gastroenteritis or mild stomach bugs cause nausea and diarrhoea – COVID can also include gastrointestinal symptoms, but a virus like norovirus often hits harder with stomach cramps and vomiting.
When to seek medical advice
If you have suspected COVID-19:
- Stay at home, avoid contact with others, especially vulnerable people, until you no longer have a high temperature and feel well again.
- Take a lateral flow test, available to buy via pharmacies or online.
- Isolate for at least 48 hours after symptoms mostly resolve, particularly breathing symptoms or fever – per NHS advice on newer variants.
Seek medical advice (contact NHS 111 or your GP) if:
- Your symptoms worsen or do not improve after a few days
- You have difficulty breathing, chest tightness, or cannot complete a sentence without pausing
- You are in a high‑risk group (e.g. over 75, immunosuppressed, chronic lung disease) – and you’re eligible for treatment or antiviral support
- In an emergency, ring 999.
NHS guidance reaffirmed:
- Antibiotics should not be used for viral infections
- Stay at home, rest, hydrate, use paracetamol or ibuprofen to manage fever or aches
- Work from home if possible until symptom resolution.
Managing summer illnesses
Distinguishing COVID-19 from common summer ailments relies on noting fever, fatigue, body aches, or complete loss of smell/taste – features less common in colds or hay fever. When in doubt, perform a lateral flow test, isolate until recovered, and seek advice via NHS 111 or from your GP if symptoms worsen or you’re at high risk.
Above all, follow up-to-date NHS guidance at NHS.uk for the most accurate symptom lists and actions to take.
