It is October, marking the beginning of the season for respiratory infections. In autumn and winter, the number of people who cough and have a runny nose increases. Various pathogens can cause a respiratory infection, such as the flu virus (influenza virus), the RS virus Respiratory Syncytial Virus (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) and the coronavirus SARS severe acute respiratory syndrome (severe acute respiratory syndrome)-CoV coronavirus (coronavirus)-2. Currently, we see that the number of people with respiratory complaints and the number of people with SARS-CoV-2 is increasing.
The severity of a respiratory infection can range from a mild cold to severe pneumonia. The most common symptoms are: coughing, sneezing, sore throat, and a runny nose. Sometimes this is accompanied by fever, muscle pain, headache, or fatigue.
Some people are at higher risk
A person with a respiratory infection can transmit it to others through coughing and sneezing. Although most people recover on their own after a few days, some can become seriously ill. The RS virus is particularly dangerous for very young children. And with the corona and flu virus, especially the elderly and people with chronic diseases are at increased risk of a severe respiratory infection. With simple advice you can limit the spread of respiratory infections and protect those who may become seriously ill.
Last winter saw many RS viruses and flu
Together with partners such as Nivel, laboratories, hospitals, and nursing homes, RIVM continuously monitors the development of respiratory infections in the Netherlands. During the previous season (in 2024-2025), there were several periods with a peak in the number of people with acute respiratory complaints. For children under five years old, the number of GP visits for acute respiratory infections peaked just before and after the turn of the year. There was also a peak in the number of GP visits for inflammation of the small airways (bronchiolitis) in this age group. During this period, a lot of RS virus circulated.
The flu epidemic lasted nine weeks; from mid-January to mid-March 2025. From early March, the number of people visiting their GP with flu-like symptoms was no longer elevated. Laboratories still found a lot of flu virus. During the flu epidemic, the number of respiratory infections that became so severe that IC Intensive care (Intensive care) admission was needed, was elevated.
Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 in summer and autumn
Unlike the flu and RS virus, which mainly circulate in winter, the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (still) has no stable seasonal pattern. The virus was mainly present in the summer and autumn of 2024. During these periods, fewer patients with a SARS-CoV-2 infection were admitted to the hospital each week than in the same periods in previous years when many SARS-CoV-2 cases circulated.
