Common Seasonal Illnesses: How to Prepare and When to Seek Care

From the crowded subways in Queens to busy school hallways, seasonal illnesses spread quickly in NYC. Knowing which ones to watch for and how to prepare for each can help families stay healthier year-round.

Ways to Prevent Seasonal Illnesses

Seasonal illness prevention often comes down to simple daily habits: wash your hands often, cover coughs and sneezes, and avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Get vaccinated if a vaccine is available, and keep a small ‘sick kit’ at home with tissues, fever medicine, and a thermometer.

In NYC, it’s also smart to know where your nearest urgent care or hospital is before flu season hits.

Common Cold

As the name might suggest, the common cold is the most frequent seasonal illness doctors see in the colder months. Its official name is the rhinovirus, and while it’s uncomfortable, it’s generally not serious.

What to look for

• Runny nose
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Sneezing
• Fatigue
• Low-grade fever

Season

Late August through to March and April

When to seek care

Typically, a common cold shouldn’t require any sort of medical intervention, but you should reach out to your doctor if you experience any of the following:

• High fever (generally anything over 101.3°F should raise concern)
• Wheezing or shortness of breath
• Worsening symptoms or extended illness (if your symptoms persist over 10 days, seek help)

Is there a vaccine?

No. Unfortunately, there is currently no vaccine or cure for the common cold.

While colds are most common, the flu can pack a much harder punch.

The Flu

Outside of the common cold, Influenza is likely the most well-known virus out there. Millions of people are affected by it each year, and while these days it’s generally non-threatening to otherwise healthy individuals, it’s important to take it seriously, as severe cases can easily land you in the hospital or cause more serious health complications in elderly or immunocompromised individuals.

What to look for

• Fever
• Chills
• Coughing and respiratory distress
• Stuffy nose
• Sore throat
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea

Season

Flu cases in the US tend to pick up in the colder months, with most cases taking place between December and March.

When to seek care

You should seek medical attention if you experience any of the following:

• Trouble breathing
• Difficulty waking
• Seizures
• Severe weakness or muscle pain
• Worsening symptoms
• Dehydration
• Severe dizziness

Is there a vaccine?

Yes. Because of how quickly the flu virus mutates, a new flu vaccine is released every year, and it’s important to stay up to date with vaccinations.

Another virus that often spikes in the same months is RSV.

RSV

RSV stands for respiratory syncytial virus and has symptoms similar to the flu or a common cold. It can be more serious in older adults or younger children.

What to look for

• Fever
• Headache
• Runny nose
• Sore throat
• Congestion
• Cough
• Fatigue

Season

RSV is more active in colder months, generally lasting from fall through to spring.

When to seek care

Although RSV is generally non-serious, it can be dangerous for children under 5, older adults, and adults with weaker immune systems. It’s important to seek care if you or someone you know is experiencing the following signs of a more severe RSV infection:

• A severe, ‘barking’ cough
• Shortness of breath, or shallow breathing
• Intercostal retractions
• Skin that appears blue in color (a sign of low oxygen)

Is there a vaccine?

Yes. There is an RSV vaccine available to young children and older adults.

And of course, no discussion of seasonal illness is complete without COVID-19.

COVID

At this point, COVID-19 needs no introduction, but it’s important to know that while life has generally resumed normal patterns since the pandemic, the risk of COVID-19 is still very much present.

Cases can range in severity from what feels like a mild cold to hospitalization for life-threatening symptoms. COVID-19 can be deadly, and even mild cases can lead to long-lasting complications that include:

• Strokes or blood clots
• Brain fog
• Fibromyalgia
• Diabetes
• Anxiety
• Mood Disorders

What to look for

• Fever
• Congestion
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Muscle soreness
• Fatigue
• Loss of taste or smell
• Headache
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sore throat
• Diarrhea

Season

Unlike most seasonal illnesses, COVID-19 doesn’t just peak during colder months. While there has been a pattern of COVID-19 peaks during the winter, we have also seen patterns of increased infections in summer months like July and August.

When to seek care

It’s important that you alert your doctor if you have a confirmed case of COVID-19 and monitor your condition closely, even with mild cases. If you start to show more severe signs of infection, call first to notify them that you are coming in so that they can take necessary precautions to prevent further spread.

The following are signs of a severe infection and require immediate emergency medical attention:

• Trouble breathing
• Pain or pressure in chest
• Sudden confusion
• Difficulty waking up or staying awake
• Skin or lips turning blue

Is there a vaccine?

Yes. You can look up current COVID-19 vaccination guidelines depending on where you live.

Not every seasonal health issue is a virus; allergies can cause just as much disruption.

Seasonal Allergies

While not caused by an infection, seasonal allergies can certainly throw a wrench in anyone’s day, and unfortunately, they can prove more persistent than the common cold.

What to look for

• Congestion
• Itchy throat
• Sneezing
• Itchy or watering eyes
• Coughing
• Headaches

Season

The most common time for seasonal allergies to act up is in the summer, but depending on specific allergies, you might notice that yours act up more in Spring or Fall.

When to seek care

Most allergies don’t require anything more than over-the-counter antihistamines. However, if you notice that you are experiencing particularly severe symptoms, it might be time to seek care. Your doctor might recommend further treatment, such as immunotherapy, to improve your quality of life.

Is there a vaccine?

No. Allergies are not caused by viruses, and there is no vaccine to prevent them.

Prepare & Seek Care

Seasonal illnesses may be a fact of life, but preparation makes a big difference. By keeping up with vaccines, knowing red-flag symptoms, and making a plan for care, Queens families can stay healthier all year. When in doubt, reach out to your doctor or local urgent care.

Getting help early can prevent a minor illness from becoming something more serious.