Flu, COVID And More: What Doctors Expect For This Year’s Sick Season

LOADING ERROR LOADING The last several falls and winters have been pretty rough in the world of respiratory viruses. The past two flu seasons have been the worst in more than 20 years with high rates of illness, hospitalization and death.

Flu vaccination rates in children have decreased since the pandemic and overall flu vaccination rates are lower than the 70% goal that public health experts aim for.

Beyond flu , fall and winter are a time when other respiratory viruses, such as colds, RSV and COVID-19 infect people in droves, leading to lots of sniffling, sneezing, coughing and more severe reactions in many.

As sick season approaches, doctors share their expectations of the viruses circulating this fall and winter — and what you can do to protect yourself from the circulating illnesses.