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Shifting temperatures have been linked with a rise in respiratory infections during seasonal transitions, and an infectious disease specialist at a hospital in Istanbul has warned that the flu, the common cold, and RSV can look alike at first but can play out very differently for high-risk groups.
Dr. Demet Yalcin, an infectious disease specialist at the hospital, pointed out that these infections often come with overlapping complaints such as cough, runny nose, and fatigue, which can make it harder to tell them apart early on. She underlined that extra caution is needed for babies, older adults, and people living with chronic illnesses, because the stakes can be higher even when symptoms start off similarly.
According to Dr. Yalcin, respiratory infections tend to pick up during periods when the weather swings from warm to cold and back again. In these transition weeks, both children and adults frequently turn up at healthcare facilities with complaints that can strain the immune system and leave the body more exposed.
While influenza, the common cold, and RSV may begin with comparable symptoms, she explained that they separate out in severity, how long they last, and which groups face greater risk.
Dr. Yalcin said influenza typically starts abruptly and runs a heavier course than many other respiratory infections. Influenza, caused by the influenza virus, is characterized by high fever, widespread muscle and joint pain, fatigue, headache, and a dry cough as prominent signs, adding that the overall picture can hold people back from normal daily life.
She noted that the flu in otherwise healthy individuals usually clears up within about one to two weeks, but she also warned that it can bring about serious complications such as pneumonia in certain groups. She listed those groups as people over 65, individuals with chronic diseases, pregnant people, and those with suppressed immune systems.
By contrast, Dr. Yalcin described the common cold as an upper respiratory infection most often caused by various viruses, especially rhinoviruses. She said runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, and mild fatigue are commonly seen, while fever is either absent or stays at low levels.
She added that the common cold is widespread in the community and often settles down on its own within a few days. During periods of shifting temperatures, she said these infections can spread more easily, particularly because contact tends to go up in enclosed and crowded settings, which can set the stage for transmission.
Dr. Yalcin said Respiratory Syncytial Virus, commonly shortened to RSV, can affect all age groups and may begin with a runny nose and cough. However, she stressed that it can pose a particular risk for infants and small children, especially babies under six months and children born prematurely, because RSV can move into the lower airways and lead to severe illness that may require hospitalization.
She emphasized that warning signs such as rapid breathing, bluish discoloration (a sign sometimes linked with low oxygen), or reluctance to feed should be taken seriously. For adults, she said, RSV is generally contracted with mild symptoms.
She summed up the key clinical differences as follows: “In the flu, a sudden and severe onset stands out; in the common cold, a milder course is seen; and in RSV, breathing difficulty in children comes to the forefront.”
To help ward off respiratory infections, Dr. Yalcin recommended straightforward daily measures, including washing hands frequently with soap and water, staying away from poorly ventilated environments, and covering the mouth and nose with a tissue while coughing.
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