Don’t sweat the fall stuff — including respiratory viruses.

Cases of the common cold, flu, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) tend to increase in the autumn and winter as people spend more time indoors. Drier air also helps these viruses survive and spread more easily.

Here are the best ways to protect yourself from these viruses — and the No. 1 mistake people make when they fall ill.

Become flu-ent in viruses

Respiratory viruses share many similar symptoms, making it difficult to tell them apart.

The common cold is a milder illness that might cause a stuffy nose, a scratchy throat and coughing but usually not a high fever.

The other three — COVID , RSV and flu — are often characterized by coughing, fever, sore throat and shortness of breath in serious cases.

Wheez

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