January is consistently one of the most active months for respiratory infections. The combination of post-holiday routines, the reopening of schools, the restart of workplaces, and cold, damp weather creates an environment that allows viruses to spread quickly. Many families notice flu-like symptoms during this period, and upper respiratory infections often go beyond a simple cold.
January is consistently a high-risk month for infections. Spending long hours indoors, using crowded public transport, and returning to busy workplaces, combined with weakened immunity from holiday fatigue and irregular eating, make it easier for viruses to spread. The reopening of schools and kindergartens adds to the risk, as children can quickly carry viruses home to their families.
Spotting symptoms early is crucial, especially when trying to tell the difference between flu and a common cold. Flu usually starts suddenly, with high fever, chills, body aches, joint pain, fatigue, and general weakness. Many people notice within the first 24 hours that it’s more serious than a typical cold, because their tiredness is unusually strong.
Colds, by contrast, tend to develop more slowly and are usually milder, often causing runny nose, scratchy throat, or sneezing. Recognizing these differences is important because early laboratory or targeted viral testing – like rapid influenza A/B and RSV tests – can guide the most appropriate treatment.
Reducing transmission is not only important for your own health but also a responsibility to others. Hand hygiene – washing hands regularly and using hand sanitizer – is one of the most effective ways to stop viruses, as they often spread via surfaces from person to person.
If you are sick, practicing good cough etiquette is essential: use tissues, cough or sneeze into your elbow, and immediately dispose of used tissues. Wearing a mask while at work or traveling with flu-like symptoms can significantly reduce the risk of infecting others. Though simple, these measures make a real difference: widespread adherence can flatten epidemic curves and lower transmission rates.
Rapid tests and PCR-based diagnostics provide clear information about whether influenza, RSV, adenovirus, or another respiratory virus is causing symptoms.
At HR-Pharma, laboratory diagnostics play a key role during this season. Serological influenza testing can identify the exact type of virus responsible.
Accurate diagnosis helps select the most suitable treatment and prevents unnecessary use of antibiotics, which are not effective against viral infections.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Flu or cold: How do I know the difference?
Flu comes on suddenly with high fever, body aches, and extreme fatigue. Colds are usually milder, develop more gradually, and include symptoms like runny nose, sore throat, or sneezing. Confirming the difference requires serological testing, rapid influenza A/B or RSV tests, or PCR testing if needed.
2. When should I get laboratory or viral testing?
Testing is recommended if symptoms appear suddenly, the fever is high, your overall condition worsens quickly, or you have a chronic illness. Testing is especially important for children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems, as complications can develop faster in these groups.
3. When can I go back to work after getting sick, and how long can I infect others?
For flu, you can start spreading the virus 1 day before symptoms appear and remain infectious for 5-7 days after they start. The highest risk of transmission is in the first 2-3 days. Return to work only after your fever has been gone for at least 24 hours and your overall condition has significantly improved.