Achoo!! When a Sneeze Could be Something Else!

Mary Johnson
14 minutes ago
3 min read

Mary Johnson, MBA, BSN, CMSRN

Is It a Cold, Allergies, the Flu, COVID… or RSV? Welcome to the New Normal

Remember when you used to sneeze and you were certain whether it was a cold or allergy or the flu?Well, life has gotten a bit more complicated. These days, that simple sneeze could point to something more—especially with COVID-19 and RSV now in the mix.

RSV Isn’t Just for Kids Anymore

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) was once diagnosed mostly in children. But now, it is affecting more adults than ever before. While RSV has always been around, increased testing and an aging population have contributed to a noticeable rise in diagnosed cases among adults. Make no mistake RSV can be nasty whether your child has it or you are an older adult.

The COVID Confusion Continues

COVID-19 has added a new layer of complexity to respiratory illnesses. With at least 13 different known variants and counting, symptoms overlap more than ever, making it harder to tell one illness from another.

COVID, RSV, the flu, and even the common cold often starts off the same way—with a runny nose and sneezing. If you suffer from seasonal allergies, your first instinct might be to chalk up the symptoms to that. But once your allergy meds stop working? It is time to start considering other possibilities.

Shared Symptoms, Blurred Lines

Colds, flu, RSV, and COVID share a frustrating number of symptoms. Here are a few that frequently overlap:

Runny or stuffy nose
Sneezing
Coughing
Fatigue
Sore throat
Mild fever (sometimes)

Each illness has its own nuances, but they are not always easy to spot without testing. For instance:

Flu often hits hard and fast with high fever and body aches.
COVID may present with a wide range of symptoms including loss of taste/smell (in earlier variants).
RSV can lead to wheezing and more severe respiratory distress, particularly in older adults.
Colds tend to be milder and resolve quicker.

When in Doubt—Test

Because of the overlapping symptoms, you cannot rely on self-diagnosis anymore. If your symptoms are persistent, worsening, or different from your usual allergy patterns, testing is the best way to get answers. Many clinics now offer combo tests that check for flu, COVID, and RSV at once.

Final Thought: Don’t Brush It Off

That familiar sniffle may no longer be “just allergies.” The landscape of respiratory illnesses has changed, and it is important that we adjust how we respond. Pay closer attention to how you feel, especially when symptoms seem different from what you usually experience. Stay informed about current health risks in your community, and do not hesitate to seek medical advice or get evaluated when something feels off or does not follow its normal pattern. Ignoring early signs can allow a minor issue to develop into something more serious. That can mean stronger symptoms, longer recovery time, higher medical bills, missed days of work, and added emotional stress for you and your family. These complications might be reduced—or even avoided—by taking symptoms seriously from the start and seeking appropriate care when they do not improve within a reasonable amount of time. Your body is talking; do not shrug off what it is trying to say.

References

Billingsley, A. (2020, December 23). At-Home Flu, COVID, and RSV Test Kits. GoodRx. https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/covid-19/covid-flu-rsv-test

CDC. (2025, July 10). RSV in Adults. Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection (RSV). https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/adults/index.html

Healthline. (2023, April 6). Key Differences Between Flu vs. COVID vs. RSV. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/flu-covid-rsv-comparison

Morgan, K. K. (2020, March 23). COVID Variants. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/covid/cm/coronavirus-strains

Webmd. (2019). Drugs & Medications. Webmd.com. https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-17765-5294/tamiflu-oral/oseltamivir-oral/details

Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board