Coping with Seasonal Illnesses

Your Winter Game Plan to Preventing Flu, RSV & Covid-19

COVID-19, flu and RSV are all respiratory viruses that are common in colder months.

These illnesses can be serious for pregnant people, older adults and anyone with a suppressed immune system. Flu and RSV can be more serious in babies and young children. 

Vaccines and steps you took during the pandemic are still our best protection against these illnesses. Follow these tips to avoid missing work, help kids stay in school and protect loved ones.

Get Vaccinated

• Get a flu shot
• Update your Covid-19 vaccine
• Get an RSV vaccine (adults 60 and older and those 32-36 weeks pregnant)

Infants should get RSV antibodies, which protects them in their first winter.

Prevent Illness Every Day

• Stay home when you’re sick 
• Wash hands often
• Clean and disinfect high-touch items (doorknobs, phones, TV remotes)
• Avoid being around people who have respiratory illness symptoms
• Watch for symptoms, especially if you were around someone who is sick
• Get tested if you think you have COVID-19

Prepare for Winter Illnesses

• Have Covid-19 test kits at home (or know where to get one)
• Learn about Covid-19 treatment options
• Carry a mask. You may be asked to wear it indoors, or to protect people at high risk.
• If you’re at risk of severe illness, stay in touch with your doctor or clinic.

Your provider may recommend that you wear a mask or take other precautions. If you do get sick, they can help you decide if you need to get tested or get treatment. 

If you don’t have a provider, call 211 for help finding one.

More Things You Can Do

• Wear a mask indoors or in crowds.
• Delay visits with those at higher risk for severe disease, or take precautions (such as masks and physical distancing) when around them.
• Hold smaller gatherings, and move them outdoors when possible.
• Open windows and doors to improve ventilation

If You Get sick

Most people recover from respiratory illnesses on their own. Stay home and do the things you usually do to feel better–sleep, rest, drink plenty of fluids.

• Wear a mask around others until your runny nose and cough are gone.
• Wash your hands often, especially after blowing your nose
• Cover your cough with a tissue or your sleeve
• Keep distance from others
• Open windows and doors to improve room ventilation

You can return to work, school, and other activities after:

• You have been without a fever for at least 24 hours without use of fever-reducing medications, and
• Symptoms are better, and
• You can eat and drink okay, and
• Your runny nose and cough are mild enough that you can participate in activities and keep your hands clean.

Symptoms

• Flu
• COVID-19
• RSV

Comparing the different illnesses