Flu, COVID-19 & RSV: Staying Safe This Respiratory Season

The CDC’s first prevention step is to “stay up to date with recommended immunizations,” and to talk with your doctor or trusted health care provider about what may be recommended for you and your family.

• Flu: The CDC says “everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine every season with rare exceptions.” For most people who need only one dose, September and October are generally good times to get vaccinated.
• COVID-19: The CDC’s current guidance states that a 2026–2027 COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for all adults ages 18 and older. For children 6 months through 17 years, recommendations depend on the child’s health, so talk with your child’s provider.
• RSV: Ask your provider or pharmacist whether an RSV immunization is recommended for you or, if you are expecting, for your baby.

Recommendations can change from season to season. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you what applies to you based on your age, health and history.

Along with vaccines, the CDC lists simple steps that lower your chances of catching or spreading a respiratory virus:

• Wash your hands regularly and clean commonly touched surfaces.
• Take steps for cleaner air where you live and work.
• Consider wearing a mask, especially if you or someone you live with is at higher risk.
• Practice physical distancing when you can.
• Use tests to help guide your decisions.

The CDC calls masks, physical distancing and testing “additional prevention strategies” — extra measures you can choose that can further reduce your risk.

The CDC advises you to “stay home and away from others (including people you live with who are not sick) if you have respiratory virus symptoms that aren’t better explained by another cause.”

You can go back to normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, both of these are true:

• Your symptoms are getting better overall, and
• You have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).

For the next 5 days, the CDC recommends added precautions, such as cleaner air, good hygiene, a well-fitted mask, physical distancing or testing when you will be around other people. You may still be able to spread the virus even after you feel better.

According to the CDC, some people are more likely to become seriously ill from respiratory viruses, including:

• Older adults, because immune systems can weaken with age
• Young children, particularly infants, whose immune systems are still developing
• People with underlying conditions such as chronic lung disease, heart disease, diabetes or chronic kidney disease
• People with weakened immune systems
• People with disabilities
• People who are pregnant

If you have risk factors for severe illness, the CDC says to “seek health care promptly for treatment,” because treatment may help lower your risk of severe illness. For flu and COVID-19, treatment may make symptoms less severe and shorten the time you are sick. Call your provider early, and ask about testing, rather than waiting to see if you get worse.

The CDC lists these emergency warning signs of flu. If you see them, get emergency care right away.

In children

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish lips or face
• Ribs pulling in with each breath
• Chest pain
• Severe muscle pain (child refuses to walk)
• Dehydration (no urine for 8 hours, dry mouth, no tears when crying)
• Not alert or interacting when awake
• Seizures
• Fever above 104°F that is not controlled by fever-reducing medicine
• In children younger than 12 weeks, any fever
• Fever or cough that improve but then return or worsen
• Worsening of chronic medical conditions

In adults

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Persistent dizziness, confusion, inability to arouse
• Seizures
• Not urinating
• Severe muscle pain
• Severe weakness or unsteadiness
• Fever or cough that improve but then return or worsen
• Worsening of chronic medical conditions

The CDC notes that “these lists are not all inclusive.” Contact your medical provider about any other symptom that is severe or concerning.

Talk with your provider or pharmacist about vaccines, keep up the handwashing, stay home when you are sick and know the warning signs. Small steps protect you and the people around you, especially those at higher risk.