Respiratory Virus Season

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) causes cold-like symptoms. It can cause severe disease for infants and older adults. In most years, RSV is most common between October through March. RSV can spread at the same time as COVID-19 and flu. It’s important to protect yourself and others by getting vaccines for all three diseases. This is especially true if you are at risk for severe disease.

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Influenza (FLU)

Key points:

Influenza, or the “flu”, is a respiratory illness that affects the lungs, throat, nose and mouth. The flu can range from mild to severe disease. At times, it can lead to hospitalizations and deaths.

During the fall and winter respiratory virus season, two types of flu can circulate:

Influenza A
Influenza B

Flu can cause mild to severe illness. Some people are at higher risk for more serious flu illness.

Flu spreads mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze, or talk

Getting a flu vaccine has been shown to reduce the risk of flu and serious flu complications.

Symptoms:

Flu symptoms usually come on suddenly. Symptoms can include the following:

fever* or feeling feverish/chills
cough
sore throat
runny or stuffy nose
muscle or body aches
headaches
fatigue (tiredness)
some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.

*It's important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.

Not everyone with flu has symptoms

Prevention:

Cover your cough or sneeze
Frequent handwashing
Stay home if you're sick
Get vaccinated for flu
Take steps for cleaner air for respiratory virus prevention

People at higher risk:

Individuals 65 years of age and older
Individuals with certain chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease)
Pregnant women
Children younger than 5, especially those than 2 years old

When to seek care:

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Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

Key points:

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) causes cold-like symptoms. It can cause severe disease for infants and older adults.

In most regions of the United States, RSV season generally starts during the fall and peaks in the winter.

RSV can spread at the same time as COVID-19 and flu.

It’s important to protect yourself and others by getting vaccines for all three diseases.

This is especially true if you are at risk for severe disease.

Symptoms:

People infected with RSV usually show symptoms within 4 to 6 days after getting infected. Symptoms of RSV infection usually include:

Runny nose
Congestion
Decrease in appetite
Coughing
Sneezing
Fever
Wheezing

These symptoms usually appear in stages and not all at once.

In very young infants with RSV, their only symptoms may be irritability, decreased activity, and breathing difficulties.

Prevention:

Everyone can take actions to help reduce the spread of RSV and other respiratory viruses.

Practice good hygiene by covering your coughs and sneezes, washing or sanitizing your hands often, and cleaning frequently touched surfaces.

Take steps for cleaner air, such as bringing in fresh outside air, purifying indoor air, or gathering outdoors.

Stay home and away from others when you are sick.

Talk to your medical provider or pharmacy to ask if RSV vaccine is right for you and about availability.

People at higher risk

Infants, some young children and adults who are older or have certain risk factors are at increased risk of severe RSV illness.

When to seek care:

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COVID - 19

Key points:

COVID -19 is a respiratory illness caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2. Some people only get mildly sick, but others can get very sick.

It typically affects the nose, mouth and lungs; the first symptoms can feel much like a cold or flu.

It can also cause pneumonia or complications in the heart, blood vessels, or other organs.

COVID-19 vaccines help protect you from getting very sick, going to the hospital, or dying.

Symptoms:

This list does not cover every possible symptom. Symptoms may evolve with new COVID‑19 variants and can differ based on vaccination status. Potential symptoms include:

Fever or chills
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
New loss of taste or smell
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Headache
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea

Prevention:

Use precautions to prevent spread, including staying home and away from other (including people you live with are not sick) if you have respiratory symptoms

Stay up to date with COVID - 19 vaccinations

Practice good hand hygiene

Take steps for cleaner air

Stay home if you're sick

Distance yourself from if you have respiratory symptoms

When to seek care