How to Stay Healthy This Winter: MedStar Montgomery PA Shares What to Expect This Cold and Flu Season

As cold and flu season approaches, MedStar Montgomery Medical Center in Olney is sharing timely guidance from one of its frontline clinicians. Deanna Najera, PA-C, an emergency medicine provider in the hospital’s Emergency Department, has seen firsthand how respiratory viruses impact families each winter. With cold, flu, RSV, and COVID-19 expected to circulate heavily again this season, PA Najera offers clear insight on how to recognize symptoms, stay healthy, and know when it’s time to seek medical care.

With shorter days, dropping temperatures, and the holidays approaching, families will be spending more time indoors together, sharing not just quality time but also seasonal illnesses. Flu season can begin as early as October. Adding other infections, such as COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), can make the winter months a breeding ground for recurring illnesses. So how do you stay healthy, know which virus you have, and determine when to seek medical care if you get sick?

“Respiratory infections such as the common cold, influenza, RSV, and COVID-19 are caused by distinct viruses but often share similar symptoms, making them hard to tell apart,” said Deanna Najera, PA-C, from the emergency department at MedStar Montgomery Medical Center. “Understanding the differences, as well as how vaccines and other preventive measures work, is key to staying healthy and protecting your family.”

According to PA Najera, the common cold is typically mild, characterized by symptoms such as a runny nose, sneezing, and a mild cough. The flu, however, often presents with more severe symptoms, including a high fever, chills, body aches, cough, and fatigue. “Most people with a cold feel well enough to carry on with daily life,” she said. “The flu, however, usually starts quickly, and people often stay in bed because they feel so bad. Healthy people will most often recover without issue, but it can cause hospital stays for those who are very young, older, or have other health problems.”

Najera said treatment for the common cold often focuses on helping the patient feel better using rest, fluids, and over-the-counter medications. To prevent the flu, annual vaccines are recommended for everyone ages 6 months and older, including pregnant people.“Prescription antivirals such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu) can shorten the flu and reduce the risk of complications when started early, but they are not recommended for everyone and have their own side effects,” said Najera.

RSV can affect all ages, but Najera warns it is especially risky for infants and older adults. What starts as cold-like symptoms can worsen into pneumonia or bronchitis. There have been recent advancements in RSV prevention and treatment, including monoclonal antibodies for infants and high-risk toddlers, as well as new vaccines recommended for older adults (75 years and older) and adults aged 60–74 who are at increased risk of severe illness.

“While it’s often an easy recovery, RSV can be very dangerous for those with underlying lung problems such as asthma, those born prematurely, or older adults,” she said. “Pregnant individuals should also receive the RSV vaccination to protect their babies.”

COVID-19 symptoms usually include a cough, fever, body aches, runny nose, and loss of taste or smell. Kids generally have milder symptoms, but older adults or those with ongoing health conditions are more vulnerable to complications like pneumonia. The American Academy of Family Physicians encourages everyone aged 19 and above to get a COVID-19 vaccine, especially those over 65, individuals at higher risk for serious illness, or anyone who hasn’t been vaccinated yet. Babies aged 6–l-23 months should be vaccinated regardless of risk. And children aged 2 to 18 years should be vaccinated based on their individual risk and in consultation with a healthcare provider. Getting vaccinated during any trimester of pregnancy and while breastfeeding is also recommended, following guidance from national health experts.

“Antiviral treatments such as nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid) may benefit those at increased risk for severe illness but can interact with several commonly prescribed medications,” Najera warned. When should you go see a healthcare provider? Najera recommends seeking emergency care if you have trouble breathing, a persistent high fever, severe chest pain, confusion or difficulty waking up, recurrent vomiting, signs of dehydration (such as decreased urination, dry mouth, or dizziness), or if symptoms of any medical condition (like asthma or heart disease) suddenly worsen. Najera said these warning signs may indicate a serious complication and deserve prompt evaluation.

“Infants, older adults, immunocompromised patients, and those with chronic diseases all face a greater chance of severe complications from seasonal illnesses,” said Najera. “Vaccination is our best tool as it protects not only individuals but also communities by lowering transmission rates and preventing outbreaks. Understanding these infections and how to avoid them helps everyone stay healthier.”

How do you keep your family healthy this winter? PA Najera recommends the following strategies to reduce the risk of getting or spreading respiratory viruses:

• Hand hygiene: Regular handwashing with soap and water, or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, provides significant protection. Studies show it can reduce infection risk by about 21%. The effect is greater in childcare settings and communities but smaller within households.

• Masks: Wearing masks, especially in crowded indoor settings, can help reduce transmission by preventing droplets filled with virus from becoming airborne when an infected person coughs or sneezes, though results can vary. Masks should not be worn by children younger than 2 years old. 

• Social distancing: Staying physically distant reduces contact with respiratory droplets, though evidence here is more mixed since some viruses can travel far under certain conditions.

• Testing and isolation: Rapid testing and staying home when sick helps limit the spread of all these viruses. This includes keeping kids home from school when they have a fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or other severe symptoms.