Share this on:Copied!

During the winter months, people spend more time indoors with others. You might gather for a holiday meal, warm up in a packed cafe, or file into the school gym for a concert. Though these moments make for cozy memories, dry indoor air and close contact make it easy for germs to spread.

When people talk, cough, and sneeze, they produce tiny germs that others can breathe in. Many respiratory viruses spread this way in the winter. Winter viruses can also spread through touch, surfaces, or sharing food or drinks.

Many illnesses are more common in the winter, including the flu, COVID-19, norovirus, and the common cold. Let’s break down common winter illness symptoms and how to treat them.

Respiratory Symptoms: Cough, Sore Throat, and Congestion

Respiratory viruses more likely to cause symptoms in the winter include:

• Common cold (the rhinovirus is the most common cause, but other viruses cause the common cold, too).
• COVID-19.
• Influenza (the flu).
• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
• Strep throat.

These viruses can all cause similar symptoms, like a headache, runny or stuffy nose, coughing, sore throat, and sneezing.

In many cases, it’s hard to tell what type of winter-related infection you have from your respiratory symptoms alone. The good news is that the same remedies work for most of these common illnesses.

How to treat winter respiratory symptoms

In most cases, the best way to respond to respiratory symptoms is to:

• Drink clear liquids, like water, herbal tea, and juice. (Limit caffeine, which can dehydrate you and make it harder to rest.)
• Get plenty of rest.
• Stay home so you don’t get others sick.
• Take an over-the-counter pain medicine, like Tylenol or Advil, for a sore throat or headache.
  • Make sure to read the label so you don’t take too much medicine.
  • Cough and cold medicines often contain pain medicines, so read the labels to avoid double dosing.
  • Remember that some pain relievers may not suit you based on a chronic health issue or other medicines you take. Your doctor or pharmacist can advise you on the best pain-relieving option.

Sometimes, your respiratory symptoms could indicate a more serious winter illness. Strep throat, for instance, can damage the kidneys or cause other problems if it gets severe and you don’t get antibiotics. Even common colds can worsen and cause pneumonia, a severe lung infection.

Also, some respiratory illnesses, like COVID-19 or the flu, have specific medication options for treatment. If you are feeling sick, contact your doctor about getting tested for these illnesses so you can get treated.

Winter sicknesses that cause coughing and sore throats are more likely to become serious in seniors and people with weaker immune systems. If your symptoms feel severe, your doctor can test and treat you.

When to see the doctor

See your doctor if you have:

• A very sore throat without a cough or runny nose (this could mean strep throat).
• Respiratory symptoms that don’t get better within 10 days.
• Respiratory symptoms that improve but worsen again (this could mean pneumonia).
• Tiny, red spots on the roof of the mouth (a strep throat symptom).
• Trouble breathing.
• White patches or pus on the tonsils (a strep throat symptom).
• Any symptom that seems more extreme than a typical “winter cold” symptom.

Full-Body Symptoms: Fever, Chills, and Aches

You may have a more serious respiratory infection if you have a fever, chills, and body aches. Winter sicknesses that can cause these full-body symptoms include:

• COVID-19.
• Influenza (the flu).
• Pneumonia.
• Strep throat.

The common cold doesn’t usually cause a fever. RSV doesn’t usually cause fever in adults but can cause a fever in older people.

How to treat a fever, chills, and body aches

If your fever, body aches, or chills make you uncomfortable, you can take an over-the-counter fever-reducing medicine.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) treat fevers but may not work for everyone. Make sure you read the label first. You also can talk to your doctor about getting tested for illnesses that cause fever because there may be more specific medical treatments available.

Most fevers pass quickly, usually within a few days. Drink plenty of fluids and rest. You may want to put cold water on a washcloth on your forehead.

When to see your doctor

Call or visit your doctor if:

• You have a high fever (103.0 F or above).
• Your fever goes away for a couple of days or more but then comes back again.
• Your fever lasts longer than three days.
• Your fever doesn’t come down with fever-reducing medicines.

Fatigue

Feeling tired is common with a winter illness like the cold or flu. Your body is working hard to fight off the infection.

The best thing to do to relieve fatigue is to sleep. Trying to eat well can also help.

How to treat fatigue

If you’re sick and feeling fatigued, nap and get extra sleep at night. Treating your symptoms may help improve sleep (for example, if coughing keeps you awake). Avoid caffeinated drinks to improve your sleep.

If you don’t know why you’re feeling fatigued, see if any of the following help:

• Decrease stress.
• Go on a short walk outside, ideally earlier in the day.
• Limit alcohol and caffeine, which can disrupt sleep.
• Try to go to bed and wake up around the same time every day.

When to see your doctor

If you have fatigue without other symptoms, it may be due to another health issue. See a doctor if your fatigue doesn’t go away.

Many diseases can cause fatigue, including low iron and seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Your doctor will ask about your fatigue and any other symptoms you may have. They may order blood tests (and other tests) to determine the cause and treatment.

Stomach Symptoms: Nausea, Vomiting, Abdominal Pain and Diarrhea

Norovirus is a group of viruses that causes stomach symptoms. It’s also more common in the winter months. That’s because people are more likely to spread the virus in close, indoor quarters.

If you have the norovirus, you may experience:

• Diarrhea.
• Fever.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Stomach cramps.

These symptoms usually go away after a few days.

The flu and COVID can also cause stomach symptoms. If you have diarrhea or vomiting on top of respiratory symptoms, a respiratory virus is likely the reason.

How to treat stomach symptoms

If you’re vomiting or have diarrhea, make sure you stay hydrated. You can drink broth, juice, sports drinks, and clear soda. You can also get oral rehydration fluids from the pharmacy to prevent dehydration.

As with other winter illness symptoms, staying home and resting are key. Try eating simple foods like crackers, bananas, and toast as you start to feel better. You can return to your regular diet when your symptoms have passed.

When to see your doctor

See a doctor if:

• Your symptoms don’t start to improve after two days.
• You have symptoms of dehydration, including a dry mouth, extreme thirst, and little urination.
• You have bloody or black and tarry stools.
• You’re experiencing confusion or dizziness.

Preventing Winter Illness Symptoms

You can avoid getting sick this winter by taking the following precautions:

• Avoid close or prolonged contact with people who are sick. If you are sick, stay home from work, school, or other gatherings.
• Avoid crowded, indoor, and poorly ventilated settings, if possible.
• Run an air purifier or open a window during indoor gatherings.
• Wash your hands routinely, especially before eating.
• Wear a facemask in crowded, indoor, and poorly ventilated settings.