We're in flu season. What are symptoms? How to tell it's not another virus

Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY
·3 min read

Americans are in the throes of flu season in large swaths of the country.

Data − from traces in wastewater to hospitalizations − show higher levels of flu virus circulating in most of the U.S. So far this season, over 160,000 people have landed in the hospital from flu complications, according to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 6,600 people have died.

And it may get worse soon. The United States’ highest month for flu illnesses is usually February, according to the CDC.

But there are other respiratory viruses circulating as well. Along with flu, winter months are highs for the common cold, RSV and COVID-19.

Here's what to know about flu symptoms in 2025, how to tell if it's something else, and how to protect yourself:

What are flu symptoms?

  • Fever, feeling feverish or chills;

  • cough;

  • sore throat;

  • runny or stuffy nose;

  • muscle or body aches, or fatigue or tiredness;

  • headache;

  • vomiting or diarrhea, which is more common among children.

Flu season is upon the U.S., as are other circulating winter respiratory illnesses, such as the common cold and COVID-19.
Flu season is upon the U.S., as are other circulating winter respiratory illnesses, such as the common cold and COVID-19.

With these symptoms, it can be hard to know what’s making you sick, whether it’s cold, flu or COVID-19, without a test confirming the type of infection you have.

Is it flu or something else?

But there are some differences.

COVID-19 can show up later than the cold or flu, the Mayo Clinic says. Meanwhile, a cold infection doesn’t usually cause fever or headache, but those are common with flu and COVID-19. Muscle aches and tiredness – more common for COVID-19 and flu – don't happen with a cold.

Dry cough typically indicates COVID-19 compared with the flu.

RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, usually causes mild symptoms akin to cold that go away on their own. But for babies, some young children and older adults, it can be serious.

How does the flu spread?

The flu spreads mainly through droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. People can also get sick by touching surfaces where those droplets have landed, and then touch their nose, mouth or eyes.

How can I prevent the flu?

The flu vaccine, for everyone ages 6 months and older, is crucial, Dr. Eduardo Azziz-Baumgartner, a medical epidemiologist in CDC’s Influenza Division, previously told USA TODAY. While it won’t completely reduce your chances of getting sick, a vaccine reduces your risk of getting severely ill.

Simple steps to prevent germs from spreading go a long way. Frequent hand-washing, with soap and water, is a start, as is covering your coughs and sneezes, and avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth, CDC said.

You should also avoid contact with people who are sick. If you are ill, CDC recommends you should stay home until both your symptoms are improving and you haven’t had a fever for 24 hours.

Antiviral drugs prescribed by a doctor can treat the flu. They’re best when used within a few days of developing symptoms.

If you need to go outside or interact with others, a face mask, such as an N95 or KN95, can help reduce you or someone else from passing the flu.

Eduardo Cuevas covers health and breaking news for USA TODAY. He can be reached at EMCuevas1@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Flu symptoms and COVID symptoms: What you need to know

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