Arizona’s Respiratory Season Is Here: What You Need to Know This October
October in Arizona brings something special: the return of perfect weather. After months of triple-digit temperatures, we finally get those beautiful 70-degree days and crisp evenings that make living in the Valley so appealing. Patios reopen, hiking trails fill up, and outdoor activities become enjoyable again.
But October also marks the beginning of something less pleasant: respiratory illness season. While many Arizonans think of flu season as a winter concern, the reality is that respiratory viruses start circulating earlier than most people realize, and this year is no exception.
The 2024-2025 Respiratory Season Has Officially Begun
The current respiratory virus season began on September 29, 2024, and continues through September 27, 2025. Public health officials across Arizona are already tracking increases in influenza, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), and other respiratory illnesses. This means that right now, in early October, is the critical window when many people should be taking preventive steps.
The timing matters more than you might think. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for your body to build full protection against the flu. Getting vaccinated in October means you’ll have optimal protection before respiratory viruses reach their typical peaks in late fall and winter.
Why Arizona’s Respiratory Season Looks Different
If you’ve moved to Arizona from another state, you might notice that our respiratory illness patterns don’t quite match what you experienced elsewhere. While much of the country sees peak flu activity in January and February, Arizona’s patterns can be less predictable due to our unique climate and population dynamics.
Our pleasant fall and winter weather encourages outdoor gatherings and activities, which can be protective. However, when temperatures do drop in the evenings, people gather indoors. We also have significant seasonal population increases as winter visitors arrive from colder climates, bringing respiratory viruses with them. This creates waves of illness that don’t always follow the traditional seasonal patterns seen in other parts of the country.
Additionally, Arizona’s dry climate can affect respiratory health in ways that increase vulnerability to illness. The low humidity can dry out the mucous membranes in your nose and throat, which are your first line of defense against respiratory viruses. This is why you might notice that the start of fall—when humidity drops but people haven’t yet adjusted their hydration habits—often coincides with the first wave of respiratory illnesses.
Who Should Prioritize Vaccination Right Now
The CDC and Arizona Department of Health Services are clear: everyone six months and older should receive an annual flu vaccine. But certain groups have even more urgent reasons to get vaccinated this month:
Adults 65 and older face significantly higher risks from influenza and its complications. The immune system naturally weakens with age, making it harder to fight off infections and increasing the risk of serious complications like pneumonia, hospitalization, and even death from flu-related causes.
People with chronic health conditions including diabetes, heart disease, lung conditions like asthma or COPD, and autoimmune disorders should treat flu vaccination as essential, not optional. These underlying conditions make you more vulnerable to severe illness, and flu can trigger dangerous exacerbations of your chronic condition.
Anyone with a compromised immune system, whether from medications, cancer treatment, or other health conditions, needs the added protection that vaccination provides. While the vaccine may not work as effectively in immunocompromised individuals, it still offers important protection and can reduce the severity of illness if you do get sick.
Beyond the Flu: Other Respiratory Concerns This Season
While influenza gets most of the attention, it’s not the only respiratory threat this fall. RSV, which many people associate primarily with children, can cause serious illness in older adults and those with underlying health conditions. The good news is that RSV vaccines are now available for adults 60 and older—a significant development in respiratory disease prevention.
COVID-19 also remains a concern heading into fall 2025. Updated vaccines are available and recommended, especially for older adults and those at higher risk. The combination of flu, RSV, and COVID-19 circulating simultaneously—sometimes called a “tripledemic”—can strain healthcare systems and increase individual risk.
Additionally, common cold viruses like rhinovirus and enterovirus circulate heavily in early fall. While these typically cause milder illness, they can still be miserable and can pose risks for people with respiratory conditions like asthma.
Practical Steps for a Healthier Fall
Vaccination is the cornerstone of respiratory illness prevention, but it’s not the only tool at your disposal. Here are evidence-based strategies to reduce your risk this season:
Stay hydrated. In Arizona’s dry climate, adequate hydration helps keep your mucous membranes moist and functioning properly. This simple step strengthens your natural defenses against respiratory viruses. Aim for eight glasses of water daily, and consider using a humidifier indoors as the weather cools and heating systems turn on.
Practice good hand hygiene. Respiratory viruses spread primarily through droplets, but they can also spread through contact with contaminated surfaces. Regular handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds remains one of the most effective ways to prevent illness transmission.
Don’t ignore early symptoms. One of the challenges with respiratory illnesses is that early symptoms can be vague—fatigue, mild body aches, a scratchy throat. In a membership-based practice model, patients have the advantage of being able to reach out early when symptoms first appear. Early intervention can sometimes prevent mild illness from becoming more severe.
Maintain your overall health. Your baseline health status significantly impacts how well you’ll handle respiratory viruses if you do get sick. Regular sleep, balanced nutrition, stress management, and staying physically active all contribute to a more resilient immune system.
The Advantage of Personalized Preventive Care
One of the challenges in traditional healthcare is that preventive medicine often gets short-changed. In a 15-minute appointment focused on an acute problem, there’s little time for meaningful discussion about vaccination timing, your specific risk factors, or strategies tailored to your health history.
A more personalized approach to medicine allows for these important preventive conversations. Your physician can consider your complete medical history, your lifestyle, your planned travel, and your exposure risks to develop a respiratory illness prevention strategy that makes sense for your specific situation.
For example, if you have a chronic lung condition, your physician might recommend earlier vaccination, discuss additional protective measures, and ensure you have an action plan ready if you do develop respiratory symptoms. If you’re planning to travel during the holidays or will be spending time with grandchildren, timing your vaccinations for optimal protection during those high-risk periods makes sense.
October Is Action Time
Here’s the reality: respiratory viruses are already circulating in Arizona. The decisions you make this month about vaccination and preventive care will directly impact your health over the next several months. Waiting until you hear that flu is “really bad this year” means you’ve missed the optimal window for protection.
If you haven’t yet received your flu vaccine for this season, schedule it now. If you’re 60 or older and haven’t discussed the RSV vaccine with your physician, add that to your conversation. If you’re due for an updated COVID-19 vaccine, don’t put it off.
The return of pleasant Arizona weather is something to celebrate. Taking a few simple preventive steps now means you’ll be able to fully enjoy our beautiful fall and winter season without being sidelined by respiratory illness. Your future self—the one hiking Camelback Mountain in December or enjoying outdoor dining in January—will thank you for the foresight.
Need to schedule a preventive care visit or discuss your vaccination plan for this respiratory season? Call us at 480-595-0431 or text 480-501-9992. Dr. Mohan and our team at Carefree Internal Medicine are here to help you stay healthy through Arizona’s respiratory season and beyond.