Got a sore throat, stuffy nose or nagging cough?
Before you blame covid or the flu, consider this: It could be one of several other respiratory viruses making the rounds.
A variety of respiratory viruses are circulating this fall, causing symptoms that can be nearly impossible to distinguish from one another, according to Pittsburgh-area physicians.
“So many of these viruses’ symptoms can overlap,” said Dr. Brian Lamb, a primary care physician at Allegheny Health Network. “Usually, (AHN) does an article every year about how to tell the difference, but you really can’t.”
Lamb and Dr. Graham Snyder, an internal medicine and infectious disease specialist with UPMC, said covid, influenza and RSV are among the respiratory illnesses they most commonly encounter.
Allegheny County reported 791 cases of influenza, 311 cases of covid and 27 cases of RSV between Oct. 4 and Nov. 2, with hospitalizations rising for all three illnesses.
Although tests are available for other respiratory viruses, doctors generally don’t recommend testing for all of them.
“If you go to your doctor and your doctor does the test for all the respiratory viruses … in my experience, patients can sometimes get a three-figure bill or more,” Snyder said. “That usually isn’t recommended.”
Snyder named four different types of viruses associated with the common cold that are circulating this season: parainfluenza or HPIVs, coronaviruses, rhinovirus and aednavirus.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, HPIVs, which stands for human parainfluenza viruses, are common respiratory illnesses that can cause mild, cold-like symptoms.
Young children and adults with weakened immune systems are most susceptible to experiencing severe symptoms.
Snyder said there are three main strains of parainfluenza, all causing respiratory illnesses.
HIPV-1 and HIPV-2 are the most common causes for croup in young children, while HIPV-3 is most commonly associated with bronchitis and pneumonia.
Coronaviruses, Lamb explained, are different than covid-19, though they are born out of the same, more severe respiratory tract infections called SARS and MERS.
“Coronaviruses usually cause about 20-30% of colds,” Lamb said, though he pointed out that data on these infections is limited. “The deadly versions of covid were so severe that they couldn’t spread as fast, because they killed people.”
Lamb explained these viruses are mutated versions of SARS and MERS that have adapted to lessen the severity of symptoms to prolong the duration of an illness, and eventually be passed on to someone else.
“A virus doesn’t want to kill you, it’s just trying to replicate itself,” Lamb said. “When it’s 100% fatal, it starts to defeat itself because it can’t spread itself.”
Rhinoviruses and adenoviruses also can cause cold-like symptoms, including congestion, coughing, sneezing, sore throat and fever. Adenoviruses can additionally cause pink eye and pneumonia, according to the CDC.
Lamb and Snyder recommended that people with respiratory illnesses self-isolate, rest, hydrate, wash their hands, disinfect surfaces and take over the counter medication. Stocking up on cold medicine, particularly Tylenol, cough syrup and antihistamines, can be useful, Lamb said.
Those experiencing severe symptoms should consult their doctors about testing and treatment options.
“If you’re somebody who is at risk of complications, talk with your doctor when you feel sick,” Snyder said. “Talk about getting tested, and talk about the antivirals that may be an option for you. Don’t wait until you feel too sick.”
For everyone else, Lamb and Snyder recommended staying home.
“In the long run if you’re not having severe symptoms, it really doesn’t matter what you have,” Lamb said. “For the most part, if you have a viral infection stay home, and stay away from people.”