Two Cold Viruses Are Elevated as Flu Arrives Early. Here's How Doctors Say to Stay Healthy.

Two Cold Viruses Are Elevated as Flu Arrives Early. Here's How Doctors Say to Stay Healthy.

Rhinovirus and Enterovirus Are Running Hot Nationwide

If it feels like everyone around you is coughing, the data backs it up. According to HuffPost, citing Centers for Disease Control data, rhinovirus and enterovirus — two germ families behind the common cold — are elevated across the United States. Dr. Ryan Carroll, an infectious disease physician at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, said they are among the most common viruses circulating in the community, causing colds and gastrointestinal illness. Dr. Aniruddha Hazra of UChicago Medicine said the timing is not unusual for fall, when school and indoor gatherings give cold viruses more chances to spread. Dr. Emily Landon of UChicago told NBC Chicago that the nasty round going around right now is probably rhino-enterovirus, not influenza.

Oregon Health Worker Flu Shots Fall to 52 Percent

The vaccine shield is thinning. According to KTVZ, flu vaccination among Oregon health care workers fell to 52% in the 2025-2026 season. The share who declined rose to 19%, up from 18% the prior season, while 29% had unknown vaccination status — the highest in seven flu seasons, compared with 7% in 2019-2020. A breakdown reported by the DailyAstorian shows ambulatory surgery centers highest at 62%, followed by hospitals at 57%, dialysis centers at 51%, inpatient psychiatric facilities at 33%, and nursing facilities at just 25%.

New York's Flu Season Arrives About Six Weeks Early

New York is getting hit early. According to WKBW, the state health department has declared influenza prevalent, with more than 3,500 lab-confirmed flu cases and more than 230 hospitalizations statewide in the week ending October 17. State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald told CBS6 Albany the season is running about six weeks ahead of normal and is widespread statewide. WWNY put the surge in context: nearly 6,500 confirmed cases since October 17, versus about 1,700 at the same point last year, with season hospitalizations at 432 compared with 100 a year ago.

Doctors Prescribe Handwashing, Ventilation and Rest

There is no vaccine for rhinovirus, so doctors fall back on the classics. Carroll advised washing hands well and often, especially around crowds, after using the bathroom, before eating and before touching the face, HuffPost reported. Hazra noted hospitals may step up masking requirements and said masking depends on each person's risk calculus. A Healthline roundup of physician advice lists the same toolkit: stay current on recommended vaccines, improve indoor air, wash hands, get enough sleep, eat a varied diet, stay active, and rest when sick. The Tacoma-Pierce County health department adds practical steps: stay home while ill, mask up if you must go out, use at-home COVID and flu tests, and call a provider promptly for antivirals if you are high risk.

Older Adults, Kids and Asthma Patients Should Act Early

For most people these two viruses mean a rough cold, but older adults, infants and people with asthma or chronic conditions face higher risk — and the low vaccination rate among nursing facility staff is a particular concern. Dr. Erika Powell of Ephrata Community Hospital urged families with asthmatic children to keep medications on hand and asthma action plans current. With flu still climbing, doctors say anyone eligible should get flu and COVID shots soon; the two can be given at the same visit.