As of late February 2026, the viruses most responsible for cold-like symptoms across the United States are influenza (17.9% test positivity), RSV (8.6%), and COVID-19 (4.3%). Rhinovirus, human metapneumovirus (hMPV), and adenovirus are also circulating at levels typical for this time of year, though they aren’t tracked with the same weekly precision. Here’s what each one looks like, how to tell them apart, and what to expect if you catch one.
RSV Is Running Higher Than COVID Right Now
RSV is testing positive at roughly double the rate of COVID-19 this winter. It typically peaks between December and February, and activity this season fits that pattern. Most people who catch RSV experience it as a standard cold: runny nose, coughing, mild fever, and general fatigue. Symptoms usually appear four to six days after exposure and clear up within one to two weeks.
Where RSV becomes more serious is in babies under one year old, adults 75 and older, and anyone with chronic lung or heart conditions. In these groups, the virus can move into the lower airways and cause bronchiolitis or pneumonia. If you’re caring for a young infant who develops rapid breathing, flaring nostrils, or seems to struggle with each breath, that warrants immediate medical attention.
COVID-19 Variants Circulating Now
COVID-19 positivity sits at 4.3%, well below its winter peaks from previous years but still enough to account for a significant share of the coughs and sore throats going around. The dominant lineage right now is XFG, making up about 29% of sequenced cases for the two weeks ending February 14, 2026. Close behind is NB.1.8.1 at 21%, followed by XFG.2.5.1 at 16%. Several other XFG sublineages fill out most of the remaining cases.
For most people, these current variants produce familiar symptoms: sore throat, congestion, cough, fatigue, and sometimes a low fever. Loss of taste and smell, once a hallmark of earlier strains, is far less common with recent variants. The illness typically runs its course in five to ten days, though fatigue can linger longer.
Rhinovirus: The Classic Common Cold
Rhinovirus remains the single most common cause of what people think of as “a cold,” responsible for up to half of all common colds year-round. Unlike flu and RSV, rhinovirus doesn’t have a dramatic seasonal spike that shows up in weekly surveillance dashboards, because it circulates constantly. It peaks in early fall and again in spring, but it never really disappears.
A rhinovirus cold is usually the mildest of the bunch: sneezing, scratchy throat, runny nose, and maybe a low-grade fever in kids. Symptoms typically last seven to ten days, with days two through four being the worst. There’s no vaccine and no antiviral for rhinovirus. Rest, fluids, and over-the-counter symptom relief are the standard approach.
Human Metapneumovirus and Adenovirus
Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) circulates every winter and spring and causes symptoms nearly identical to RSV: cough, congestion, mild fever, and sometimes wheezing. Reports from China in late 2024 raised alarm about hMPV overwhelming hospitals, but the World Health Organization confirmed those levels were within the normal seasonal range. In the U.S., hMPV activity this winter has followed typical patterns. Most adults experience it as an unremarkable cold, though it can be more serious in very young children and older adults with weakened immune systems.
Adenovirus is another year-round contributor to cold symptoms, along with sore throat, pink eye, and occasionally stomach bugs, depending on the type. Most adenovirus infections are mild or produce no symptoms at all. Activity returned to normal pre-pandemic levels by fall 2023 and has stayed there. There’s no adenovirus vaccine available to the general public.
How to Tell These Viruses Apart
Honestly, you often can’t by symptoms alone. Flu, RSV, COVID, and the common cold can all cause fever, cough, congestion, and fatigue. A few patterns can help narrow it down, though. Flu tends to hit suddenly, with body aches, high fever, and exhaustion that feel distinctly worse than a typical cold. RSV often settles in the chest with a deep, persistent cough and wheezing. COVID is more likely to cause a pronounced sore throat with current variants, and some people still report a temporary change in taste or smell. A plain rhinovirus cold centers on the nose and throat, with sneezing and a runny nose as the main features, and rarely produces significant fever in adults.
If knowing the exact virus matters for your situation, rapid tests for COVID and flu are widely available at pharmacies. A broader test called a respiratory pathogen panel can identify RSV, adenovirus, hMPV, and other viruses, but doctors typically reserve it for people who are hospitalized or at high risk for complications. For most otherwise healthy adults, identifying the specific virus doesn’t change the treatment plan.
Who Should Consider RSV Protection
RSV is the one circulating cold-like virus (besides flu and COVID) that now has a vaccine option. A single dose is recommended for all adults 75 and older, and for adults 60 to 74 who have conditions that raise their risk of severe RSV, such as chronic lung disease, heart disease, or a weakened immune system.
For babies, protection comes in two forms. Pregnant women can receive a vaccine between 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy, which passes protective antibodies to the baby before birth. Alternatively, babies can receive a preventive antibody at birth or just before RSV season. This protection is recommended for all infants under eight months, and for some higher-risk children between eight and 19 months.
Practical Steps While Viruses Are Peaking
With flu positivity still near 18% and RSV above 8%, late February remains a high-traffic period for respiratory illness. Washing your hands frequently, especially after being in crowded indoor spaces, is still the single most effective way to reduce transmission of nearly all these viruses. If you develop symptoms, staying home during the first few days when you’re most contagious limits spread to coworkers, classmates, and vulnerable family members.
For symptom relief across all these viruses, the basics are the same: stay hydrated, rest, and use over-the-counter pain relievers or decongestants as needed. Most healthy adults will recover within one to two weeks regardless of which virus is responsible. The main reason to pay attention to which virus you have is if you’re in a higher-risk group or caring for someone who is, since RSV, flu, and COVID each have specific treatments or preventive tools that a standard rhinovirus cold does not.