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The United States appears on track for a 2025-2026 respiratory virus season similar to the one in 2024-2025.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported in August that it expected a similar number of peak hospitalizations from COVID-19, influenza (flu), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

“Right off the bat, the first thing to say about any respiratory virus season is it can be unpredictable,” says Graham Snyder, MD, medical director, Infection Prevention and Hospital Epidemiology, UPMC.

However, Dr. Snyder anticipates that respiratory viruses will circulate as they typically do this season.

Learn more about what to expect this respiratory virus season, including common symptoms and prevention methods.

When Is Respiratory Virus Season?

In general, the “respiratory virus season” runs from the fall through the early spring. These seasons are when respiratory infections tend to rise.

For example, flu season generally runs from around October to March or April. COVID-19 cases have typically risen in the fall and winter, peaking around New Year’s. And RSV season can begin as early as mid-September and last until March or April.

Common respiratory viruses circulating this time of year include:

• Flu (influenza).
• Human metapneumovirus (hMPV).
• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
• Rhinovirus (the common cold).
• SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19).

Common Respiratory Virus Symptoms

Symptoms of colds, influenza, COVID-19, and RSV have a lot of overlap.

Common symptoms of respiratory illnesses include:

• Change in taste or smell (more common with COVID-19).
• Cough.
• Fatigue.
• Fevers or chills.
• Headaches.
• Loss of appetite.
• Muscle/body ache.
• Runny nose.
• Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing.
• Sneezing.
• Sore throat.
• Wheezing.

The symptom overlap makes it difficult to know which illness you have purely from your symptoms, Dr. Snyder says.

“You can’t distinguish the respiratory viruses based on your symptoms,” he says. “A rhinovirus causes what we call rhinosinusitis, which is sinus congestion. Could that be COVID? Yes. Is the flu always going to present with fever, achiness, and maybe a dry cough? Often, but not always.

“So, the viruses, while on average, they have some distinct characteristics on an individual level, you can’t tell what you’ve got (based on symptoms).”

Some symptoms may present differently in children. Learn how to protect children from respiratory viruses like the flu, COVID-19, and RSV.

Often, testing is the only way to diagnose which respiratory illness you have.

Testing for Respiratory Viruses

If you’re experiencing symptoms of a respiratory virus, getting tested is especially important. This is especially the case if you’re at risk for a severe illness or care for people who are at higher risk. The flu and COVID-19 cause severe illness, hospitalizations, and deaths more often than other respiratory illnesses.

Over-the-counter antigen tests are available for the flu and COVID-19. You can also discuss with your doctor the possibility of undergoing laboratory tests.

It’s best to get tested for the flu and COVID-19 as soon as you start experiencing symptoms. Antiviral medications for both illnesses are most effective when they’re given early in the disease course.

“I would suggest, within the first couple of days of knowing that you’re sick, to get a test,” Dr. Snyder says. “You can talk to your doctor about a (lab) test or a home antigen test. The antivirals are most effective if given in the first couple of days. You really need to give it in the first two to three days for their maximum effect.”

Respiratory Virus Treatment

If you test positive for the flu or COVID-19, talk to your doctor about getting a prescription for an antiviral treatment. Antivirals can reduce your risk for severe complications.

They’re especially important for people who face a higher risk of complications, including:

• Children (for the flu).
• Older adults.
• People with compromised immune systems.
• People with existing medical conditions.
• Pregnant people.

In addition to antivirals, you can also take steps to manage your symptoms. This can include taking over-the-counter medications, resting, and staying home if you’re sick.

What Should I Do if I’m Feeling Sick?

If you have symptoms of a respiratory illness, here’s what you can do:

1. Stay home — Don’t go to work or school until your symptoms subside to avoid spreading respiratory viruses to others. “You should definitely stay home while you have a fever because that’s the most contagious period for these viruses, and within 24 hours of your fever going away,” Dr. Snyder says.
2. Wear a mask — If you’re out in public, wearing a mask that covers your nose and mouth can reduce your risk of spreading a respiratory virus to others.
3. Get tested — Take at-home flu and COVID-19 tests, or talk to your doctor about getting an in-office test.
4. Get treatments — If you test positive for flu or COVID-19, ask your doctor about antiviral treatments. You can also try over-the-counter medicines or home remedies to manage your symptoms.

Preventing Respiratory Illnesses

You can lower your risk of getting infected with a respiratory virus and/or suffering severe complications in several ways.

Get vaccinated

Vaccines help boost your immune system, allowing it to recognize and fight respiratory viruses. They can prevent infections or serious illnesses caused by these viruses.

Common respiratory vaccines include:

COVID-19

Every person 6 months of age and older (who doesn’t have a contraindication) can receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

The CDC recommends that adults 65 and older and people 6 months to 64 years old with underlying health conditions get vaccinated based on individual-based decision-making. This involves discussing your personal risks and benefits of vaccination with your provider.

Medical professionals recommend that every person 6 months of age and older consider getting the vaccine. Talk to your provider about COVID-19 vaccination if you’re interested. If you have questions about insurance coverage or copays, contact your insurance provider.

Flu

The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older receive an annual flu shot. The flu shot is widely available at doctor’s offices, pharmacies, and more. Talk to your doctor about where to get a flu shot near you.

RSV

The RSV vaccine protects seniors and infants, two groups who are especially vulnerable to RSV complications.

The CDC recommends the RSV vaccine for adults 75 and up and adults 50 to 74 with health conditions that put them at risk for RSV complications.

It also recommends the vaccine for pregnant women who are 32 to 36 weeks along from September to January. Newborns and children up to 19 months entering their first or second respiratory virus season are also eligible for protection against RSV by receiving the vaccine with monoclonal antibodies.

Learn more about RSV vaccination from the CDC.

Wash your hands

Hand hygiene can help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including the flu, RSV, SARS-CoV-2, and more. You should wash your hands frequently with soap and water, scrubbing for at least 20 seconds before rinsing. You can also use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

“Hand hygiene is important because if you wipe your nose or cough in your hand and then touch something, you’ve now put on that surface viruses that can spread to others,” Dr. Snyder says. “And on the flip side, after you touch contaminated surfaces, if you then touch your eyes, your nose, your mouth, your face, that’s how the viruses can enter your body. So, hand hygiene helps interrupt that.”

Cover coughs and sneezes

You can help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses by coughing or sneezing into a tissue or your elbow.

Wear a mask

People can choose to wear a mask to help protect themselves against respiratory viruses.

Wearing a mask that covers your nose and mouth in public can reduce your risk of infection. If you’re sick, it can lower your risk of spreading the virus to others. Wearing a mask can prove especially valuable for people who are at the greatest risk of infection or serious complications.

Practice healthy habits

Following a healthy lifestyle can help lower your risk of getting a respiratory illness or suffering severe complications.

Ways you can help your immune system through daily habits include:

• Eating healthy and staying hydrated.
• Exercising regularly.
• Getting enough sleep.
• Keeping a healthy weight.
• Limiting alcohol consumption.
• Quitting smoking.