You’ve faced tough winters before...but COVID, flu and RSV are hitting harder this year

Winter has arrived, bringing with it a wave of sore throats, runny noses and persistent coughs.

Hospitals are filling up, and vulnerable Australians are at risk of serious illness.

You might be surprised at which viruses are dominating this season—and how to protect yourself.

COVID

Until May 2025, COVID case numbers were roughly half of last year’s, but June saw 32,348 notifications, narrowing the gap with June 2024’s 45,634 cases.

Fewer people now test compared with earlier in the pandemic, suggesting the true figures are likely higher.

Australia appeared to be emerging from a winter wave of COVID driven largely by the NB.1.8.1 subvariant, nicknamed ‘Nimbus’.

This Omicron offshoot caused classic cold-like symptoms as well as painful sore throats and gastrointestinal issues such as nausea and diarrhoea.

While some people experienced mild or no symptoms, older adults and those with chronic health conditions remained at greatest risk of severe illness or death.

The current COVID booster is based on the JN.1 subvariant, and since Nimbus and XFG (‘Stratus’) are direct descendants, the vaccine should remain effective.

Free boosters were available annually to most people, with those aged 75 and older advised to get one every six months.

Vaccination and early antiviral treatment lowered the risk of severe illness and long COVID, with people aged 70+ and younger individuals with risk factors eligible for antivirals after testing positive.

Influenza

The 2025 flu season proved unusually severe, with case numbers from January to May 30 per cent higher than 2024, adding pressure to health systems.

Recent figures trended lower than last year, but the peak had not yet been reached.

Flu symptoms were generally more severe than a cold, often including high fever, chills, muscle aches, fatigue, sore throat and nasal congestion.

Most people recovered in under a week, but the flu could be severe or fatal for older adults, young children and pregnant women.

Annual vaccination was free for children aged 6 months to 4 years, pregnant women, people aged 65+ and other high-risk groups.

Queensland and Western Australia offered free flu vaccines for everyone aged 6 months and older, while other states charged around A$30 for non-eligible recipients.

RSV

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) only became notifiable in 2021, leaving early data sparse.

Last year recorded Australia’s highest RSV numbers, and by June 2025, cases had caught up with last year: 27,243 cases versus 26,596 in June 2024, suggesting the peak had just passed.

RSV symptoms were usually mild, but serious illness such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia could occur, especially in infants, older adults and people with chronic conditions.

A free vaccine for pregnant women protected infants for up to six months, while a monoclonal antibody injection was available for at-risk children up to age two if the mother had not been vaccinated.

For older adults, two RSV vaccines—Arexvy and Abrysvo—were available. One dose was recommended for people aged 75+, those over 60 at higher risk due to medical conditions, and all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 60+.

These vaccines were not subsidised and cost about $300, with protection lasting at least three years.

The common cold

While COVID, RSV and influenza dominated headlines, the common cold remained widespread.

It was caused by over 200 viruses, mostly rhinoviruses, but also some coronaviruses, adenoviruses and enteroviruses.

Symptoms included runny or blocked nose, sore throat, cough, sneezing, headache, fatigue and sometimes mild fever.

Children experienced 6–8 colds per year, while adults averaged 2–4, usually resolving within a week with rest, fluids and over-the-counter medication.

Researchers continued exploring a universal cold vaccine, but its development remained challenging due to constant viral mutation.

How to protect yourself

Precautions from the COVID pandemic remained effective.

These viruses were airborne and spread via coughing, sneezing or contaminated surfaces.

Good hygiene, proper cough etiquette, high-quality masks for high-risk individuals, and staying home when unwell were recommended.

Rapid antigen panel tests for influenza, COVID and RSV were available for home use, enabling early detection.

Even minor winter illnesses could have serious consequences, and every precaution helped reduce impact.

Losing a sense of control over winter illnesses can be unsettling—are you taking all the steps you can to protect yourself and your family?