Educating your patients about the Cicada variant of COVID19

Recently, I was told that my elevated blood pressure was the result of Long COVID from having COVID last December. I was relieved to hear that the problem should be resolved over several months.

So, when I read there was a new variant of COVID, I was particularly concerned. I discovered that clinicians should be interested in this new variant because of its unique infectivity and the potential for more severe symptoms in specific populations.

One way that the authorities keep track of the various strains of COVID is by monitoring their presence in wastewater. Since June 2025, wastewater samples in 132 locations across at least 25 states have detected a new Omicron-related subvariant of Covid-19 called Cicada. #_ftn1Like the insect cicada, it reemerged after a dormant period.

“The BA3.2 variant has around 70-75 mutations in the genetic sequence of its spike protein ( the protein virus uses to infect cells) relative to the strains that were included in last fall’s COVID vaccines: the Cicada variant was able to evade antibodies, ‘highlight the need for ongoing genomic surveillance and observational evaluations for vaccine and antiviral effectiveness’, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report’s authors write.#_ftn2

Cicada infection presents with symptoms that clinically overlap with influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV—a common cause of respiratory tract infections), allergies, and other viral illnesses. Definitive diagnosis requires laboratory testing, as clinical differentiation is unreliable, according to the National Broadcasting Company at nbcnews.com.

Current evidence indicates that symptomatology remains similar to existing COVID-19 variants, with no notable increase in severity or unusual manifestations reported at this time. Symptoms reported include rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, headache, fatigue, sneezing, pharyngitis, cough, and altered taste or smell. Some individuals described severe pharyngitis, referred to as ‘razorblade throat.’

#_ftn3

It appears to spread easily, especially among children. CDC does not believe it causes more severe illness overall than other types of COVID-19. However, as with other types of COVID-19, it can be more serious in older adults or in people with weakened immune systems or significant health problems.

Asymptomatic infection is possible, and individuals without symptoms may facilitate transmission.

As a clinician, you may encounter young people with non-specific symptoms that look like other illnesses but may be the Cicada variant of COVID. COVID could be easily overlooked, then put older patients who come into contact with them at risk. On other occasions, you may see grandparents who visit or live with potentially infectious young people. Educating your older patients about this heightened risk may help them anticipate when to mask when needed.

You may be treating patients who have lowered immunity because they have cancer, are taking chemotherapy, or other medications that lower immunity.

School children are in groups of potentially infected people. You may have patients who work with children in their roles in schools, hospitals, doctors’ offices, and after-school programs, to name just a few situations.

Patients in those situations most need to know about Cicada COVID. They may want to wear N95 masks selectively and increase their handwashing.  Like with patients who have had the earlier strains of COVID, people who have the Cicada variant of COVID need to follow the COVID guidelines about isolation. They should also be aware of symptoms of increasing severity, like difficulty breathing, chest pain, confusion, or low oxygen levels.

It will be important to keep track of developments as we approach the summer and more becomes known. I will watch for updates to pass along.

Take care,

Jeff

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#_ftnref1 CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report March 19,2026

#_ftnref2    [2] New Cicada COVID variant is spreading in the US. Here is what you need to know by Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, March 30, 2026#_ftnref3 New COVID Cicada Variant is Spreading, Health Daily News April 3, 2026

I became interested in this question when other therapists commented on the immaturity of an increasing number of college students that they were seeing in counseling. I know that a subgroup of young people seeing therapists may not represent young people as a whole.

I asked of Copilot AI on March 23,2026. Copilot said, “College students aren’t universally more immature—they’re: developing in a longer, complex transition into adulthood, growing up in highly visible digital environments and responding to different incentives and pressures than prior generations.” …” What looks like immaturity is often delayed adulthood, louder experimentation, or different coping strategies, not a lack of ability or seriousness.”

AI added that “immaturity is more visible because now it is documented, shared, or amplified.

.” It suggested there is generational bias and that grade inflation has reduced external signs of accountability.

Earlier in March 2026, Copilot said this seeming immaturity was not low ego strength but was more like underdeveloped executive function in real-world contexts.

Copilot stated: Classic “ego strength” theory emphasized reality testing, delay of gratification, and capacity to tolerate frustration. These capacities develop through use, not declaration. If environments repeatedly absorb consequences, negotiate standards, soften deadlines and reduce exposure to failure, then ego functions remain situationally immature, not constitutionally weak. This also explains why many students appear anxious and brittle, and avoidant but later perform competently in structured environments with clear roles.

 AI has reminded me of how essential it is to teach clients about what it described as the “effort—failure—adjustment—retry loop” as a habit required for success. It is easy to believe mistakenly that clients already know and understand this.

In thinking about how this affects therapists,  I realize we will be seeing more and more young people in despair if they are slow to develop the foundational skills needed for employment. Demoralization can lead to dangerous behaviors. Despondent young people who feel like failures need reminders of the things they did accomplish and reinforcement of the early positive gains they make in practicing this loop. This encouragement is done by focusing on actual accomplishments and not by saying they are okay by definition.

Sometimes therapists may need to teach even rudimentary skills like how to open a bank account and write a check to pay a bill. Kelly Williams Brown’s book Adulting: How to Become a Grown-up in 535 Easy(ish) Steps would help with similar situations.

AI has a more tough love stance. Co-pilot notes that self-esteem first interventions, purely cognitive programs without action, and protection from failure do not work. It acknowledges that “letting people fail, allowing discomfort, accepting unequal outcomes and resisting the urge to soothe before competence forms is politically and emotionally difficult.”

AI believes that what works is giving real responsibility with real consequences that make people accountable for outcomes that affect others.  AI gave apprenticeships, military service, and paid work with defined deliverables as examples of contexts that force self-regulation under pressure.

As Chris Rock has said, give a man a mortgage if you want him to think twice before he makes an irresponsible decision.