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