Top Story: Is your runny nose due to fall allergies or COVID?

Between allergy season and COVID, the fall can be hard on our respiratory health. Dr. Jill Foster, a professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School and a pediatric infectious diseases physician with M Health Fairview, spoke with MPR News about the fall respiratory virus season and vaccine guidance.

As the respiratory virus season begins, Dr. Foster expects to see COVID cases continue through September and early October. “The particular [strain] that’s around right now tends to look a lot more like a cold, which is making it more confusing. There’s less effect on the lungs. We’re not seeing as much of a coughing illness, we’re seeing more of what looks like a really bad cold. Runny nose, sore throat, that kind of thing,” said Dr. Foster.

To prevent severe illness from respiratory viruses, Dr. Foster recommends getting the updated COVID and flu vaccines. “You need to get the flu vaccine every year because the flu keeps changing, COVID is changing too. The recommendation out is everybody 6 months and above should get a COVID vaccine this fall,” said Dr. Foster.

If you have symptoms of a respiratory illness this fall, Dr. Foster says to take a COVID test and go from there. “It’s really great to do the test, if not only for yourself but to help others,” said Dr. Foster.

Listen to the full interview with Dr. Foster on MPR News.