What’s The Deal With That Cough Everyone Seems To Have Right Now?

If you have any upper respiratory symptoms, it’s a good idea to test yourself for the flu and COVID. Both are on the rise, and although COVID has more of a dry cough plus a headache, it can be mistaken for the common cold.

“Both have cough, both can have sore throat,” O’Mahony said. If you know you have COVID, for example, you may benefit from taking Paxlovid. Those diagnosed with the flu can take an antiviral such as Tamiflu, Relenza, Rapivab, or Xofluza.

If you test negative for the flu and COVID, it’s still worth checking in with a healthcare provider, such as a primary care doctor, urgent care doctor or telehealth physician. 

We don’t have specific treatments for rhinovirus, adenoviruses and RSV, Strange said, but your provider can make recommendations to help you recover — rest, stay hydrated, and take over-the-counter medications like Mucinex DM and Robitussin DM (as long as you don’t have any contraindications). They may also prescribe medications, such as cough medicines or corticosteroids, which can improve symptoms by reducing inflammation in the airways.

If your symptoms persist for a couple weeks, you’ll want to continue following up with your physician. There are some serious bacterial infections, including mycoplasma (aka walking pneumonia), legionella and pneunococcal pneumonia, that can cause a hacking cough.

If your doctor suspects any of these, they can run tests and prescribe the appropriate antibiotics, Strange said. In addition, some people may develop a secondary bacterial or new viral infection, according to Braunstein. Warning signs of this include a new fever and darker or more severe phlegm. 

Outside of that, you want to wash your hands frequently and cover your mouth and nose when you cough, Strange said, to avoid spreading it to others. Listen to your body: if you’re really sick, stay indoors until you feel better. We’re officially in the thick of cold and flu season — these viruses aren’t going anywhere, for the next few months at least.

Now’s the time to take extra precautions, and as Strange pointed out, use common sense if you or others around you get sick. 

This post originally appeared on HuffPost.