Respiratory Virus Season

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Fall is the start of respiratory season, when illnesses like influenza, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus, can easily spread. Even if you are healthy, you can still spread these diseases to others who may be at higher risk of serious disease or other health related complications. Click the tabs below for more information on each disease.

Influenza (FLU)

Key points:

Influenza, or the “flu”, is a respiratory illness that affects the lungs, throat, nose and mouth. The flu can lead to mild to severe illness. 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

The flu can spread through droplets when people with the 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 chills
Cough
Sore throat
Congestion or runny 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:

Not everyone with the flu will have a fever, and everyone will have symptoms.

Prevention:

Cover your cough or sneeze
Frequent handwashing
Stay home and away from others if you're sick
Get vaccinated for the 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 younger than 2 years old

When to seek care:

Call your doctor, clinic, or urgent care promptly if:

You are at a higher risk for severe illness and your symptoms worsen after a few days.

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 the flu.

It’s important to protect yourself and others by getting vaccinated for all three diseases. This is especially true if you are at risk for severe illness.

Symptoms:

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

Congestion or runny nose
Decrease in appetite
Cough
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.

Frequent hand washing

Cover your coughs and sneezes

Take steps for cleaner air

Stay home and away from others if you're sick

Talk to your medical provider or pharmacy to ask if RSV vaccine is right for you. This includes older adults, pregnant people, infants and some toddlers.

People at higher risk

Infants
Young children
Adults who are older or have certain risk factors are at increased risk of severe RSV illness.

When to seek care:

Call your healthcare professional if you experience difficulties breathing, not drinking enough fluids, or your symptoms worsen after a few days.

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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:

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:

Stay home and away from others when you're sick.

Stay up to date with Covid-19 vaccinations

Frequent handwashing

Take steps for cleaner air

When to seek care:

Persistent symptoms (fever that will not go away or a cough that prevents you from talking or sleeping normally).

Your symptoms worsen after a few days.