Infectious disease experts are shedding light on the so-called “2025 throat virus” trending on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, attributing its symptoms to common respiratory illnesses instead of a new, unidentified disease. This mysterious ailment reportedly manifests through debilitating symptoms such as runny nose, congestion, coughing, shortness of breath, and severe sore throat.
According to a recent respiratory illness surveillance report from New Jersey, emergency department visits for illnesses including COVID-19, RSV, and influenza have risen. Dr. Suraj Saggar, chief of infectious disease at Holy Name Medical Center, emphasized that this uptick aligns with seasonal patterns observed over his two decades in medicine.
“We often see an increase in respiratory illnesses during colder months, particularly with the rise of air travel and family gatherings during the holiday season,” said Dr. Saggar. Hospitals in New Jersey typically face higher rates of hospitalizations and fatalities due to respiratory viruses each year.
This season features a new strain of influenza A(H3N2), designated Subclade K, which has already spread globally. Data from South America suggests that the current flu vaccine may be less effective against influenza A infections, though those who received the vaccine are still less likely to experience severe illness compared to the unvaccinated population. The CDC reported that the 2025 Southern Hemisphere flu vaccine succeeded in reducing hospitalizations linked to influenza by nearly 50%.
Dr. Saggar noted the seriousness of influenza, which claims thousands of lives annually in the U.S. Recent state data indicated an increase in positivity rates for influenza, RSV, and human metapneumovirus, a respiratory infection usually active from winter through spring.
Additionally, there’s rising concern over other respiratory viruses like rhinovirus and enterovirus, which contribute to the common cold and can be severe in individuals with compromised immune systems. Unfortunately, no vaccines exist to prevent rhinovirus infections.
Currently, the CDC has reported increased levels of Mycoplasma pneumoniae in some areas, typically leading to mild infections but occasionally resulting in severe illness, such as walking pneumonia. Furthermore, preliminary cases of pertussis, or whooping cough, are also on the rise compared to pre-pandemic levels.
Distinguishing between these various respiratory viruses can be challenging, as they present similar symptoms. However, the reassuring news is that most individuals can recover from these common infections without requiring prescription medications. “Supportive care and rest are often the best remedies,” Dr. Saggar said, advocating for simple home treatments such as hot soup.
Individuals with weakened immune systems or pre-existing conditions are advised to monitor their health closely and consult healthcare providers if symptoms worsen, underscoring the importance of personal risk assessment and precautionary measures.