Skip to Content

Published on October 15, 2025

Fall Respiratory Illness Season Has Arrived! What to ExpectRespiratory Illness 2025

The autumn air brings more than just pumpkins and cooler weather; it also ushers in a flurry of respiratory illnesses and allergies. Trying to figure out if your sniffle is a common cold, RSV, COVID-19, or seasonal allergies can be a challenge. Know what to expect this fall with Jolene Cannady, NP, Cone Health Crissman Family Practice, in this WFMY 2 Your Well-Being conversation.

Cold, RSV, or COVID-19? What to Look For

Since symptoms for the common cold, RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus), and COVID-19 can overlap, it can be tricky to tell them apart without testing. Key differentiators:

Symptom

Common Cold

RSV

COVID-19
Fever (≥100∘F) Usually absent or low-grade May be present May be present
Wheezing Absent (unless underlying lung disease) May be present (high-pitched whistle sound) Absent (unless underlying lung disease)
Gastrointestinal Usually absent Usually absent May include nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting
Taste/Smell Usually unaffected Usually unaffected May include loss of taste or smell
Sore Throat May be present May be present May be present; recent variants have featured a "razor-sharp" sore throat
Other Runny/stuffy nose, headache, body aches, cough, fatigue Runny/stuffy nose, headache, body aches, cough, fatigue Runny/stuffy nose, headache, body aches, cough, fatigue

For a full diagnosis, testing is a good idea, especially for flu or COVID-19, which have specific treatments.

Is It a Viral Illness or Fall Allergies?

Fall allergies and viruses share symptoms like a runny nose and scratchy throat, but allergies have distinct features:

  • Key Allergy Symptoms: Itchy, watery eyes and sneezing are common. You will not have a fever, body aches, or severe fatigue with allergies.

  • Duration: Viral illnesses often resolve in one to two weeks. Allergies are triggered by exposure (like pollen) and tend to last a while longer than a few weeks. If your symptoms are lingering, think allergies.

Managing Symptoms at Home

For most mild viral illnesses like the common cold, RSV, and even mild flu, or COVID-19, management is focused on rest and over-the-counter support:

  • Rest and Hydration: Focus on getting plenty of rest and increasing your fluid intake.

  • Over-the-Counter (OTC) Relief: Use OTC cold medications, cough suppressants, and fever reducers.

    • Always check with a pharmacist, especially if you have a chronic condition like diabetes or high blood pressure, to ensure medications won't interact or worsen your condition.

  • For Allergies: OTC antihistamines and nasal sprays are the typical go-to. If you are over 65, try to avoid Benadryl.

  • For COVID-19: While symptomatic, try to isolate from others. If you are eligible and within the first five days of symptoms, talk to your provider about prescription treatments like Paxlovid.

  • Monitor Worsening Symptoms: Be vigilant. Seek medical attention if you start experiencing shortness of breath or other breathing difficulties.

When and Where to Get Care

It’s important to know the right place to go based on how you feel. Cannady advises thinking in terms of symptom severity:

Severity Level

Where to Go

When to Go
Mild Virtual Care (Telehealth) Non-emergent symptoms (runny nose, cough, sore throat) when you don't need testing.
Moderate Urgent Care If you have a fever, wheezing, or need to be tested for flu or COVID-19. Also a good option for higher-risk individuals with moderate symptoms.
Severe Emergency Care Chest pain, severe shortness of breath, or a really high fever. These symptoms require immediate medical attention.

Staying Ahead of Illness: Prevention is Key

With respiratory illnesses like the flu and COVID-19 expected to be a factor this season, prevention is crucial:

1. Vaccinations

"I’m a huge advocate for vaccinating," Cannady stated, reminding everyone that vaccines are easily accessible at Cone Health Community Pharmacy.

  • Flu Vaccine: Recommended annually for everyone six months and older.

  • COVID-19 Vaccine: Strongly advised for adults 65 and older. Others (ages 6 months and up) should discuss with their provider, especially if they are immunocompromised or have a chronic health issue.

  • RSV Vaccine (Single Dose): Recommended for pregnant women (32–36 weeks) to protect their baby, and adults 75 and older (or 50–74 at increased risk of severe RSV).

  • Can you get them together? Yes, you can get the COVID-19 and flu vaccines at the same time, but Cannady suggests spacing them out if possible to avoid combining potential temporary side effects.

2. General Prevention Steps

Simple habits can make a big difference in lowering your risk:

  • Handwashing: Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (sing "Happy Birthday" twice!).

  • Limit Exposure: Try to limit time around family members who are sick.

  • Cover Up: Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing to prevent spreading germs.

  • Support Your Immune System: Get plenty of good water, sleep, and nutritious meals daily.

While a viral illness may seem simple, they can turn into major health issues if we don't keep an eye on ourselves.

2 Your Well-Being

Cone Health and WFMY News 2 are excited to partner together to provide health and wellness information for you and your family. Watch Cone Health experts on television and online.

Tune in to WFMY News 2 every Monday to watch health segments on a variety of wellness topics.

Quick Access Links