Late 2024 into early 2025 turned out to be a tough respiratory illness season across the country — and doctors say it was one many had been warning about for years. Dr. Brian Curtis is Vice President and Chief Medical Officer for OSF Medical Group. He says RSV, influenza and COVID-19 were all circulating heavily in communities at the same time.
That combination put major strain on clinics, emergency rooms and hospitals, as large numbers of people got sick all at once. Dr. Curtis says when patient volume spikes like that, it can impact how quickly people are seen for other medical concerns. The season itself followed a more traditional pattern. Flu activity picked up in the fall, peaked in January and February, while RSV surged later in the winter, with COVID lingering throughout.
Dr. Curtis says having all three viruses circulating together made it especially challenging. Looking ahead to the upcoming respiratory season, there are still plenty of unknowns. He says how the season shapes up will depend on several factors, including how effective the flu vaccine is, and how many people actually get vaccinated.
Doctors recommend getting a flu shot by the end of October. Another key factor is RSV vaccination for high-risk groups. There are two one-time RSV options, one for adults and another for infants. The adult RSV vaccine is recommended for people 65 and older, adults 50 and up with serious health conditions, and pregnant women between 32 and 36 weeks who will deliver during RSV season.
For infants, there’s an injection called Beyfortus, a monoclonal antibody given to babies under eight months entering their first RSV season. In some cases, high-risk children may be eligible for a second season, but parents are encouraged to talk with their health care provider. Doctors are also paying close attention to how people behave when they’re sick.
Dr. Curtis says simple steps such as washing your hands, staying home when sick, and covering your cough can still make a big difference. He adds last season saw more people returning to work while sick, allowing viruses to spread faster. There are also lingering myths about flu shots. He says it’s never too late to get vaccinated and getting the flu shot early does not mean it wears off before the season ends.For most people, mild respiratory symptoms can be treated at home.
Rest, fluids, and over-the-counter medications like Tylenol or Motrin are often enough, and medical care isn’t necessary for mild cases. But doctors say you should seek care if symptoms become severe: including trouble breathing, high fever that won’t come down, inability to keep fluids down, confusion, or illness lasting more than a week without improvement. Finally, Dr. Curtis says the best defense against respiratory illness starts with overall health.
That includes exercising, getting enough sleep, eating well, and limiting alcohol, all steps that help keep your immune system strong heading into respiratory season. For more information, contact your primary physician.
