Common COVID-19 Symptoms Doctors See in Winter 2025

Many viruses are circulating this winter, including COVID-19, which is making people sick across the country.

“COVID has continued to circulate throughout the year and we are beginning to see trends characterized by a marked increase in activity in the winter,” said Dr. Graham Snyder, medical director of infection prevention and epidemiology. hospital at the University of Pittsburgh. Medical center.

That’s not surprising, Snyder said. During the colder months, we’re more likely to socialize indoors, where germs can spread more easily. Children are back in school, where they are exchanging germs with each other, and cold temperatures also cause viruses to spread more.

Nationally, “emergency room visits and hospitalizations due to COVID-19 are increasing,” Snyder said.

You’ll likely hear about more people being infected with COVID this winter, and you should know the symptoms to watch for to keep you and your loved ones safe. Below, doctors share the most common signs of a COVID infection this season.

Many of the most common COVID symptoms are ones we’re all familiar with at this point, like cough and shortness of breath.

You may also have fever, chills, congestion, runny nose, sore throat and body aches, Snyder said.

“Many patients report an overwhelming feeling of fatigue, often severe enough to interfere with daily tasks and activities,” Dr. Janet Nwaukoni, a Chicago-based family physician, said in an email to HuffPost.

If you are sick, you should not force yourself to do things that you could easily do when you are well. Instead, you should prioritize rest, Nolt said.

“I think the one thing we’re not seeing is…this loss of smell or taste that people were talking about a lot at the beginning of the pandemic,” Nolt said.

These symptoms have not been prevalent since early 2022, when the omicron variant emerged, she added.

If you’re not feeling well, it’s a good idea to get a COVID test, whether you have mild symptoms or more serious problems. A number of winter illnesses have symptoms that overlap with those of COVID-19, but there is antiviral treatment specifically for COVID that can help you feel better faster.

Antiviral treatment is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting a serious infection. That includes older adults and people with underlying health conditions, Snyder said.

“For antiviral treatment to work, it must be taken earlier in the course of the disease. The longer you wait, the less likely you are to succeed,” Snyder said. In other words, it’s important to know if you have COVID as early as possible.

You won’t necessarily experience all of the symptoms mentioned above, according to Snyder. You may have one, or a few, he said, “but they are all typical symptoms of COVID-19.” For some people, their infection will not cause any symptoms, while others will get sick enough to end up in the hospital. This is another reason why it is important to take a test.

“We have a 2024-2025 seasonal COVID vaccine available and it is recommended for anyone six months and older,” Snyder said.

The final shot can help reduce your chances of contracting the virus – and if you get sick, it can help prevent complications that could otherwise lead to hospitalization or even death.

“The most important reason to get vaccinated is to stay healthy, and if you get sick with COVID after receiving the vaccine, it’s a safe bet you won’t be as sick as you would have been summer, because the vaccine helps prepare you. your immune system to respond,” Snyder said.

Research shows the vaccine also reduces the risk of developing long COVID. Vaccines are available at pharmacies, including CVS and Walgreens. You can also visit vaccines.gov to see where you can get vaccinated locally.

Beyond vaccination, hand washing is also important, Nwaukoni noted. Additionally, wearing a mask in public can protect you from illness, whether from COVID or another winter virus.