COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza are respiratory infections caused by different viruses. The concern is that each has overlapping symptoms, and all are arriving together. There are ways to keep these viruses at bay as the U.S. enters the colder months.
"We're not really in a COVID-19 season or flu season, but in a respiratory infection season," says Dr. John O'Horo, an infectious diseases specialist at Mayo Clinic. "It's impossible to distinguish based on symptoms from a regular cold to RSV to COVID-19 or flu — especially if you have a mild case. But you can still transmit all of these to others."
He says people should look at this as more of a global question: "What can I do to prevent respiratory infections as opposed to what can I do to prevent COVID-19?"
