When you or a loved one starts feeling under the weather, it can be tough to know what’s going on. With so many respiratory illnesses circulating, it’s important to be able to distinguish between the common cold, the flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and COVID-19. Although these illnesses share similar symptoms, they are caused by different viruses, have varying levels of severity, and require different approaches for treatment and prevention. In this blog post, we’ll explore the key differences between these illnesses, how they spread, and how to protect yourself and others.