Every year as the weather turns colder, the United States sees a predictable surge in respiratory illness. In my experience as a primary care physician, the weeks after the first real cold snap are among the busiest of the year. The good news: the vast majority of cold and flu season illnesses are preventable with the right precautions, and the ones that aren't are very treatable when caught early.

Here is what I advise my patients every year as the temperature drops.

‍The illnesses that spike every cold and flu season
‍Influenza and RSV are the two conditions I'm most concerned about during this season. Both are respiratory viruses, and both peak in the colder months when people spend more time indoors. Influenza, in particular, can escalate quickly in older adults and people with chronic conditions. High fever, body aches, headache, sore throat, and a dry cough are the hallmarks. If you have these symptoms, don't simply wait it out — antiviral treatment for the flu works best within the first 48 hours. seeDoc can arrange rapid flu and RSV testing through Quest Diagnostics with no markup on the standard rate.

‍The common cold is less serious but by far the most common illness this time of year. It spreads through respiratory droplets and contaminated surfaces, which become a bigger risk as people gather indoors. Symptoms are milder than the flu: runny nose, sore throat, congestion, and a mild cough, usually without a high fever. Most cases resolve on their own, but if symptoms linger beyond ten days or suddenly worsen, check in with a doctor.

‍Viral gastroenteritis — stomach flu — peaks in the colder months, when norovirus spreads easily in schools, offices, and households. Oral rehydration is the cornerstone of treatment, but dehydration in young children and older adults can escalate quickly.

‍Respiratory infections rise during the colder months due to temperature swings, increased indoor crowding, and viral spread. These are usually self-limiting but can progress to pneumonia in vulnerable patients.

‍Practical advice, in plain language
‍Get your annual flu shot — and ask your doctor whether the COVID-19 and RSV vaccines are right for you. Vaccination is the single most effective way to reduce your risk of serious illness during the season.

Wash your hands often and thoroughly, especially after being in public spaces. Most cold and flu viruses spread when hands touch the face after contact with contaminated surfaces.

Cover coughs and sneezes, and stay home when you're sick. Reducing close contact while you have symptoms is one of the most effective ways to avoid spreading illness to others.

If you have children under five or elderly family members at home, keep their vaccination status current and be more vigilant about fever — both groups decompensate faster than healthy adults.

‍When to consult a doctor
‍A fever above 101°F (38.5°C) lasting more than two or three days should be evaluated. Fever with shortness of breath, chest pain, confusion, a severe or persistent cough, or inability to keep fluids down warrants urgent attention. A seeDoc video consultation can help you assess whether symptoms need in-person investigation, guide you to the right test, and provide a prescription if one is appropriate — without the waiting room exposure to other unwell patients.

Cold and flu season is unavoidable. It doesn't have to come at a cost to your health.

seeDoc was featured in eHealth Magazine when it launched its video consultation platform, and the specialist video consultation feature has been a core part of the platform's preventive health work, including digital efforts to arrest lifestyle disorders nationwide.