During the fall and winter months, respiratory viruses tend to spread more widely. Common respiratory viruses include the common cold, influenza (flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and COVID-19. Although some people have mild symptoms when they catch a virus, others get sick enough to be hospitalized, especially older or higher-risk adults.
Some seasons are more severe than others based on strains of the viruses circulating and immunity to these viruses. Respiratory disease season lasts from October through May in the United States, peaking between December and February. As it approaches, employers can plan to prepare for the ongoing threat of colds, flu, RSV, and COVID-19, and consider the best practices in this article for the 2025-26 respiratory virus season: Preparing for the Fall and Winter Flu Season.
