There are a variety of common respiratory viruses that are on the rise this time of year. Here is a guide to what symptoms are associated with each of these viruses.

COVID-19

Symptoms:• Cough • Diarrhea • Fatigue • Fever/chills • Headache • Loss of taste/smell• Muscle/body aches • Nausea/vomiting • Runny/stuffy nose• Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing • Sore throat

Incubation: 2–14 days (typically 2–5)

Infectious Period: 48 hours before symptoms; up to 10 days after symptoms start

Influenza (Flu)

Symptoms:• Cough • Diarrhea • Fatigue • Fever/chills • Headache • Muscle aches• Runny/stuffy nose • Sore throat • Vomiting

Incubation: 1–4 days (typically 2)

Infectious Period: 24 hours before symptoms; up to 7 days after symptoms start

Mycoplasma pneumoniae

Symptoms:• Cough (worsens over time) • Fatigue • Fever • Headache • Sore throat

Incubation: Typically 1–4 weeks

Infectious Period: Varies

Pertussis (Whooping Cough)

Symptoms:• Cough/coughing fits • Low-grade fever • Runny/stuffy nose• Vomiting • Whooping

Incubation: 5–21 days (typically 7–10)

Infectious Period:As soon as cold-like symptoms begin (low-grade fever, runny/stuffy nose, mild cough)→ Through day 5 of appropriate antibiotics→ Or through 21 days after cough begins if untreated/improperly treated

RSV

Symptoms:• Cough • Decreased appetite • Fever • Runny/stuffy nose• Sneezing • Wheezing

Incubation: 2–8 days (typically 4–6)

Infectious Period: 24–48 hours before symptoms; through at least day 3 of symptoms, possibly several weeks