Respiratory viruses can cause the common cold and influenza-like illness.

Common symptoms of respiratory viruses include:  

• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Cough
• Sneezing
• Fever
• Headache
• Tiredness
• Body aches

COVID-19

COVID is a viral respiratory illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This virus is easily spread from person to person when someone who is sick coughs or sneezes. The virus in their respiratory droplets can be breathed in by the people around them and make them sick.

To protect yourself and those around you, make sure you stay home if you’re feeling sick, wash your hands regularly, and cover your coughs and sneezes. You can also get your COVID booster vaccine. Staying up to date with all your COVID vaccines is the best way to protect yourself from severe illness. Getting an annual booster is important because each year vaccines are updated to provide the best protection against new strains of the virus that might be circulating. The COVID vaccine is available for children starting at 6 months of age. 

Influenza (Flu)

Influenza, or flu, is a viral respiratory illness. The flu virus can be spread directly from person to person or from objects that a sick person has touched. When sick people cough or sneeze, the flu virus in their respiratory droplets can be breathed in by those around them or land on objects that other people can later touch. 

To protect yourself and those around you, make sure you stay home if you’re feeling sick, wash your hands regularly, and cover your coughs and sneezes. You can also get your annual flu vaccine. Annual vaccination is important because the flu virus mutates very quickly. Getting your flu shot every year provides you with the most protection from serious illness. The flu vaccine is available for children starting at age 6 months. 

RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)

RSV is a viral respiratory illness. Older people, infants, and young children are more likely to have serious complications if they get sick with RSV. RSV is primarily spread from person to person through respiratory droplets that travel through the air when a sick person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. The virus can also be spread by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.

To protect yourself and those around you, make sure you stay home if you’re feeling sick, wash your hands regularly, and cover your coughs and sneezes. You may also be eligible for an RSV vaccine. Adults 60 years or older and pregnant people are recommended to get one dose of RSV vaccine. Getting vaccinated while pregnant can help protect your infant from getting sick with RSV after they are born. Infants and young children can also be given a dose of monoclonal antibody to prevent severe RSV infection.

Infants born during the RSV season (October through March) may receive monoclonal antibodies as a way to prevent severe RSV disease. These monoclonal antibodies are not vaccines - they do not activate the immune system. Rather, the antibodies themselves protect against RSV. Monoclonal antibodies are recommended for infants younger than 8 months of age who are born during or are entering their first RSV season if:

• The mother didn’t receive an RSV vaccine during pregnancy
• The mother’s RSV vaccine status is unknown
• The infant was born within 14 days of their mother’s RSV vaccination

In most cases, monoclonal antibodies don’t need to be administered if the infant was born more than 14 or more days after their mother received the RSV vaccine. 

1/5/2026