TikTok, X, and Instagram are flooded with videos about a mysterious “2025 throat virus” that’s making everyone sick. The illness causes a host of debilitating symptoms including runny nose, congestion, coughing, shortness of breath, and a painfully sore throat.

So, what is it?

Well, for starters, it’s not exactly a mystery. It’s probably one of the many common respiratory viruses that circulate this time of year. In New Jersey, emergency department visits resulting in admission have recently increased for COVID-19, RSV and influenza, according to the latest respiratory illness surveillance report .

“It’s actually following a very typical pattern,” said Dr. Suraj Saggar, chief of infectious disease at Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck.

Saggar may not be on TikTok, but he has been pr

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