DO I HAVE THE FLU, COVID OR RSV IN CALIFORNIA? WHAT TO KNOW AS VIRUSES SPREAD

Respiratory virus season is in full swing across California, with several illnesses spreading across the state.

Cases of influenza and respiratory syncytial virus are on the rise, the California Department of Public Health reported in a Jan. 16 news release.

While respiratory viruses - including the flu, COVID-19 and RSV - can circulate year-round, they're usually most active from October through March.

Although COVID-19 levels remain low statewide, respiratory viruses can be difficult to differentiate.

Symptoms are not specific, "which makes it difficult to distinguish RSV from the common cold or other respiratory viruses" like the flu or COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Here's how to tell which illness you might have:

What are common symptoms of the flu?

Seasonal flu activity is on the rise across California, according to the California Department of Public Health.

"This is due to the new flu strain H3N2, subclade K," the state department said in its Jan. 16 news release.

In its most recent weekly report, the California Public Health Department said 13.6% of flu tests statewide were positive, with more than 75,000 confirmed flu cases reported, as of Thursday, Jan. 22.

According to the CDC, these are the most common flu symptoms:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle, head or body aches
• Tiredness
• Vomiting and diarrhea, which are more common in children

Flu symptoms can look similar to those of other viral respiratory illnesses, so it can be difficult to tell them apart based on symptoms alone

Can I get tested for influenza?

To confirm a diagnosis, the CDC said, testing is available.

These tests typically involve a health care provider swabbing the inside of your nose or the back of your throat and sending the sample to a lab for analysis.

Common testing methods include reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, viral culture and immunofluorescence assays.

What is RSV?

As RSV cases increase in California, hospitalizations are also climbing - especially among children and older adults, according to the California Department of Public Health.

The latest data from the state department show 4.5% test positivity, with more than 16,000 positive RSV tests reported statewide, as of Thursday, Jan. 22.

There have been more than 2,000 RSV-related hospitalizations and three deaths since the start of the respiratory illness season in July.

RSV is a common respiratory virus that infects the nose, throat and lungs, according to the CDC.

Infections are most common from late fall through early spring, typically peaking in December and January.

What are RSV symptoms?

Symptoms of RSV can include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Wheezing in very young babies
• Difficulty breathing

The illness usually clears up on its own within one to two weeks, according to the Mayo Clinic.

However, RSV can become serious for people at higher risk.

In severe cases, RSV can lead to pneumonia, inflammation of the airways in the lung, hospitalization and even death, according to the CDC.

"RSV can be dangerous for infants and older adults," the CDC said.

Severe RSV symptoms in infants and older adults include:

• Fever
• Severe cough
• Wheezing
• Rapid or difficulty breathing
• Bluish skin color due to lack of oxygen
• Difficulty feeding
• Excessive tiredness
• Irritability

Though tests aren't usually necessary to diagnose RSV, they can help diagnose complications or rule out other respiratory viruses that can cause similar symptoms, according to the Mayo Clinic.

These tests can include chest X-rays, swabbing the inside of the mouth or nose, pulse oximetry to detect levels of oxygen and blood tests.

How can I tell if I have COVID-19?

Test positivity levels for COVID-19 remained "very low" as of Thursday, Jan. 22, according to the California Department of Public Health.

About 1% of tests statewide were coming back positive, with more than 110,000 positive COVID-19 tests, state health officials said.

According to the CDC, possible COVID-19 symptoms include:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Tiredness
• Muscle, head or body aches
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

"Symptoms may appear two to 14 days after exposure to the virus," the CDC said on its website.

What are COVID-19 warning signs?

According to the CDC, these are emergency warning signs to look for if you have COVID-19:

• Trouble breathing
• Constant pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion
• Unable to stay awake
• Skin tone appears pale, gray or blue

The CDC said you can use over-the-counter COVID-19 home tests to help figure out which illness you have.

"You cannot tell the difference between flu and COVID-19 by symptoms alone because some of the symptoms are the same," the CDC said.

Can I get my flu shot at the same time as RSV, COVID-19 vaccine?

As RSV and flu cases peak in California, doctors say new vaccines are available to help protect against viral illnesses, including influenza and respiratory syncytial virus.

Health officials said it's safe to get the RSV, flu and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time

How can I prevent getting sick in California?

In addition to vaccination, the California Department of Public Health shared these tips to prevent getting sick this season:

• Stay home to lower risk of infection.
• Wear a mask in crowded spaces.
• Wash and sanitize your hands.
• Cover your cough or sneeze.

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2026-01-23T16:32:27Z