Reviewed by Dr. Badal Kalamkar, MD on Dec. 22, 2025
The holiday season is a joyful time for many of us. It is filled with family gatherings, festive meals, and travel to visit the people we care about. However, as individuals focus on their health, the excitement of Christmas can sometimes bring an unwelcome problem: falling ill during the holidays are over.
Crowded airports, long flights, cold weather, and changes to our usual sleep schedule can all increase our chance of picking up an illness.
Understanding the common illnesses that can occur during the Christmas holiday can help you prevent them and know when to seek urgent care to stay healthy during the winter months.
Why Winter Illnesses Increase Due to Christmas Travel
According to Healthline, someone is more than 100% more likely to catch a cold on a plane than in their daily life.
Here are some factors that increase the risk of getting sick during winter travel:
- Close contact with others: Airports, planes, and public transportation increase the risk of exposure to viruses and bacteria that cause the flu, colds, or stomach infections.
- Dry cabin air and travel fatigue: Being on airplanes, long drives, and having a busy holiday schedule can weaken your immune system.
- Stress and sleep disruption: Holiday travel often means irregular sleep and more stress, making it harder for your body to fight off infections.
These conditions can lead to a range of winter illnesses, from simple colds to more serious infections.
Most Common Winter Illnesses that we see Due to Christmas
Several illnesses are especially common during the Christmas holiday. Knowing the signs can help you manage your symptoms and decide when you might need care. The National Health Service (NHS) explains the most common illnesses that happen during winter:
Gastrointestinal Issues
Food poisoning, stomach bugs, and traveler’s diarrhea are common issues that can occur after holiday travel. These can occur from consuming food or drinking water that has been contaminated, especially when meals are prepared for large groups or eaten quickly while on the move.
Symptoms you might notice include:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea or loose stools
- Stomach cramping or pain
- Low-grade fever or chills
Flu and Common Cold
The flu and the common cold are two of the most frequent winter illnesses that can happen after traveling. Symptoms often show up 1 to 5 days after you were exposed and may include:
- Fever and chills
- Body aches and feeling tired
- Congestion or a runny nose
- Sore throat and cough
While colds usually resolve on their own, the flu can be more severe, especially for very young children, older adults, and individuals with underlying health conditions. Urgent care can help with testing, managing symptoms, and giving antiviral treatment when needed.
COVID-19
COVID-19 continues to spread during the winter and can easily be transmitted from person to person through travel and social gatherings. The symptoms can look like the flu or a cold and might include:
- Fever and chills
- Cough
- Feeling very tired or having body aches
- Loss of taste or smell
Testing is crucial if you suspect you may have COVID-19. This helps you make informed treatment decisions and stops you from spreading the virus to others. Urgent care clinics can provide testing, expert advice, and a range of treatment options.
Strep Throat
Strep throat is a bacterial infection that often spreads in group settings, like family gatherings and schools. It is more common in children and teenagers, but adults can also get it.
Symptoms include:
- Severe sore throat
- Fever
- Swollen lymph nodes (glands)
- Pain or difficulty when swallowing
Strep throat requires antibiotics, which is why a timely visit to urgent care is important. Without treatment, it can sometimes lead to serious complications that affect the heart or kidneys.
RSV, Bronchitis, and Other Respiratory Infections
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), bronchitis, and other viral respiratory infections are common during the winter months, particularly around the time of travel. These illnesses often cause:
- A cough that won’t go away
- Wheezing or chest congestion
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that RSV can be especially serious for babies, older adults, and those with existing lung conditions.
Sinus and Ear Infections
Changes in air pressure during flights, combined with winter congestion, can increase the chance of getting a sinus infection or an ear infection after travel.
Symptoms you might experience:
- Facial pressure or headache
- Thick drainage from the nose
- Ear pain or a feeling of fullness in the ear
- Fever
These infections may require a medical evaluation, especially if your symptoms persist or worsen after a few days.
Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)
Pink eye, also called conjunctivitis, can be caused by bacteria or viruses that also cause colds and COVID-19. It affects the thin layer of tissue that lines the eyelids and the white part of the eye, causing the eye to appear red or pink in color.
Symptoms may include:
- Red or pink eye
- Itching or irritation
- Watery or thick discharge
- Crusting around the eyes
Viral pink eye is highly contagious while you have symptoms. Bacterial pink eye is contagious until 24 hours after you start antibiotics or until symptoms get better. Washing your hands often and avoiding touching your eyes can help reduce the spread. Urgent Care can assess your symptoms and recommend treatment if necessary.
How to Prevent Getting Sick After Holiday Travel
The CDC recommends preparing ahead of time by ensuring you are up to date on your routine vaccines and taking steps to stay healthy and recover quickly if you do get sick during the winter.
- Get vaccinated: Ensure you are up to date on your flu and COVID-19 vaccines before traveling.
- Rest and hydrate: Give your body time to recover from the stress of traveling.
- Wash your hands frequently: Especially before eating or touching your face.
- Clean surfaces: Disinfect areas you frequently touch at home and when traveling.
- Avoid close contact: Stay away from crowds if you are feeling unwell.
- Practice safe food handling: Ensure your food is cooked thoroughly and stored properly.
- Pack medications and essentials: Bring any prescription medications or over-the-counter remedies you might need.
- Seek care early: Visit an urgent care center if your symptoms start or worsen.
When to Seek Urgent Care
While many winter illnesses that occur during holiday travel—such as mild colds or minor stomach bugs—can be managed at home, some symptoms require a professional check.
You should seek urgent care if you experience:
- A high or persistent fever that doesn’t get better with over-the-counter medicine
- Severe or ongoing vomiting or diarrhea, especially if you feel dehydrated
- Shortness of breath, chest pain, or wheezing
- Severe sore throat or difficulty swallowing, which could point to strep throat
- Symptoms that get worse or do not improve after a few days
If you need professional care, Zenith Primary & Urgent Care in Marlborough is here to help. Our team provides top-quality healthcare services when you need them most. Zenith Urgent Care offers walk-in services and same-day or next-day appointments for patients from Ashland, Berlin, Bolton, Framingham, Hopkinton, Hudson, Marlborough, Maynard, Northborough, Southborough, Stow, Sudbury, Wayland, and Westborough.
With extended hours on weekdays and weekends, it’s easier to fit healthcare into your schedule. You can book here or call 617-500-7933 to get the care you need, when you need it.
