Protect yourself from COVID-19, Flu, and RSV
Protect yourself from COVID-19, Flu, and RSV
It is common to get sick from respiratory viruses such as COVID-19, flu, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), especially in the fall and winter. There are actions you can take to protect yourself and others. Learn about whether you’re more likely to get seriously ill, how to prevent these viruses, and if these viruses are spreading in your community.
Respiratory Virus Activity
Select your state or territory:
Findings for each respiratory virus type are presented individually and combined for all three as a percent of total emergency department visits. Additional information, including on participating states and jurisdictions, available at the Companion Guide: NSSP Emergency Department Data on Respiratory Illness.
COVID-19 can be very contagious and spreads quickly. Most people with COVID-19 have mild symptoms, but some people become severely ill.
Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs.
RSV usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Most people recover in a week or two, but RSV can be serious, especially for babies and older adults.
Understand Risk Factors and Prevention Tools
Anyone can get a respiratory virus infection, but some people have a higher risk of getting very sick from it. Certain respiratory viruses, like the ones that cause COVID-19, flu, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection, are more likely than others to make people very sick.
Make a selection to learn more:
Each prevention tool you use adds to your overall protection!
Whether or not you're at higher risk, you can use strategies and tools to lower your chances of catching or spreading a respiratory virus and lower your likelihood of getting very sick if you do catch one.
Learn more about risk groups.
Select any of these risk groups, which may apply to you or someone you spend time with, for personalized information:
Risk factors for infants and young children
Infants and young children are at higher risk of getting very sick from respiratory viruses. The immune systems of infants and young children are still developing. In addition, their lungs and airways are smaller, making viruses that affect the airways more of a threat. This risk is usually at its peak early in infancy and gradually diminishes as children grow and get older.
Risk factors for older adults
Older adults are at higher risk of getting very sick from respiratory viruses. As people get older, their immune systems don't work as well, and older adults are also more likely to have underlying health conditions. The risk of getting very sick from respiratory viruses increases with age. For example, people who are 85 years old are at substantially higher risk of getting very sick than people who are 65 years old.
Risk factors for people who are immunocompromised
People with weakened immune systems, such as people taking medicines following organ transplant or people with certain cancers, are at higher risk of getting very sick from respiratory viruses. This is because they have lower defenses against infections, and their bodies may have a harder time building lasting protection from past immunization or infection.
Risk factors for people with underlying health conditions
People with certain underlying health conditions, such as chronic lung disease, heart disease, or obesity, are at higher risk of getting very sick from respiratory viruses. This is because certain underlying conditions can cause important body systems to struggle. While their body is under this strain, it can be harder to deal with the additional stress of a respiratory virus.
Risk factors for pregnant people
People who are pregnant are at higher risk of getting very sick from respiratory viruses. This is because pregnancy results in changes to a person's immune system and places stress on the body, making it more challenging to fight off an infection.
Risk factors for people with disabilities
Some disabilities can raise the risk of getting very sick from respiratory viruses, either because of an increased likelihood of having underlying health conditions or because of factors stemming from social determinants of health.
Vaccines
Vaccines are the safest way to build immunity from a virus. Vaccines help the body learn how to defend itself from disease without the dangers of an infection. The immunity you gain from vaccination can reduce your risk of infection and becoming very sick if you do get infected. CDC recommends that all people aged 6 months and older stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccines and receive a seasonal flu vaccine. If you are 60 years and older, talk to your healthcare provider to see if RSV vaccination is right for you. CDC also recommends nirsevimab, a monoclonal antibody product, for all infants younger than 8 months who are born during - or entering - their first RSV season, as well as some older babies.
Special considerations for vaccines:
COVID-19
- CDC recommends all children aged 6 months and older stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.
- Children aged 6 months to 5 years may need multiple doses of COVID-19 vaccine to be up to date, including at least 1 dose of updated Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, depending on the number of doses they've previously received and their age.
Flu
- CDC recommends all children aged 6 months and older be vaccinated each season against flu.
- Children aged 6 months through 8 years of age may need 2 doses for best protection.
RSV
- CDC recommends one dose of nirsevimab for all infants younger than 8 months, born during – or entering – their first RSV season (typically fall through spring).
- For a small group of children between the ages of 8 and 19 months who are at increased risk of severe RSV disease, such as children who are severely immunocompromised, a dose is recommended in their second season.
COVID-19
- CDC recommends all older adults stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.
- Adults aged 65 years and older may get a 2nd dose of updated Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
Flu
- CDC recommends all older adults be vaccinated each season against flu.
- There are three flu vaccine options that are preferentially recommended for people 65 years and older.
RSV
- Adults aged 60 years and older may receive a single dose of RSV vaccine, based on discussions between the patient and health care provider.
COVID-19
- People who are aged 6 months and older and are moderately or severely immunocompromised may get 1 or more additional updated COVID-19 vaccines.
Flu
- CDC recommends that people aged 6 months and older who are immunocompromised receive a seasonal flu vaccine.
- They should get a flu shot and not the nasal spray flu vaccine.
RSV
- CDC recommends a dose of nirsevimab during their second RSV season for infants aged 8 through 19 months who are immunocompromised.
COVID-19
- CDC recommends that all people aged 6 months and older stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccines.
Flu
- CDC recommends that people all aged 6 months and older receive a seasonal flu vaccine.
COVID-19
- CDC recommends COVID-19 vaccines for everyone aged 6 months and older, including people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now, or those who might become pregnant in the future.
- This recommendation includes getting boosters when it is time to get one.
- Getting a COVID-19 vaccine can help protect pregnant people and their babies from serious health problems from COVID-19.
Flu
- CDC recommends pregnant people receive a seasonal flu vaccine.
- They should get a flu shot and not the nasal spray flu vaccine.
- Flu vaccine can be given during any trimester of pregnancy.
- September and October are generally good times to be vaccinated each year.
- Earlier vaccination (e.g., in July or August) can be considered for people who are in the third trimester of pregnancy during those months.
- Getting a flu vaccine can help protect pregnant people and their babies from serious health problems from flu.
RSV
- The Food and Drug Administration recently approved an RSV vaccine for use during pregnancy, intended to help protect the infant after birth.
- CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices will meet soon to review this vaccine and discuss recommendations.
COVID-19
- CDC recommends that all people aged 6 months and older stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccines.
Flu
- CDC recommends that people all aged 6 months and older receive a seasonal flu vaccine.
More information
Air quality improvements
Viral particles in the air spread between people more readily indoors than outdoors. Air quality improvement practices, such as opening windows or using air filters, can reduce the amount of virus you are exposed to.
More information
Physical Spacing
The closer you are to a greater number of people, the more likely you are to be exposed to respiratory virus. Generally, infectious droplets and particles are more concentrated closer to the person who is infected.
Stay away from others who are sick if possible.
Handwashing & Cleaning
Handwashing with soap removes most germs, including respiratory viruses, from your hands. If soap and water are not available, using a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol can kill these germs. Using household cleaners that contain soap or detergent will remove germs and dirt on surfaces. Daily sanitizing may not be necessary if surfaces and objects are cleaned carefully after use. To sanitize a surface or object, use a weaker bleach solution or an EPA-registered sanitizing spray.
More information
Masks
Their effectiveness against different viruses varies, but generally masks can help reduce the amount of germs you breathe in. You can also use masks to help protect others if you have a respiratory virus.
Special considerations for masks:
It is not safe for children under 2 years old to wear masks.
- Some people with disabilities may find it difficult to wear a mask.
- Challenges may be caused by being sensitive to materials on the face, difficulty understanding the importance of mask wearing for protection, or having difficulty controlling behavior to keep the mask in place.
- People with certain disabilities or their caregivers can assess whether they need to wear a mask. They should do this by considering the ability to:
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- Wear a mask correctly (proper mask size and fit)
- Avoid frequent touching of the mask and face
- Limit sucking, drooling, or having excess saliva on the mask
- Remove the mask without assistance
- People who are deaf or hard of hearing may consider:
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- Wearing a clear mask or a cloth mask with a clear panel
- If a clear mask is not available, using written communication, closed captioning, or decreasing background noise to make communication possible while wearing a mask that blocks lips
More information
Treatments
Prescription antiviral treatments for COVID-19 and for flu are widely available and can lower your risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death if they are started soon after you become infected. Treatment for RSV is supportive care, as there is no effective antiviral for RSV at this time.
Special considerations for treatments:
- Prescription antiviral treatments for flu are available to children and can lower the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death if they are started soon after infection. Oseltamivir is recommended by CDC for treatment of flu in children beginning from birth.
More information
Testing
If you have symptoms of a respiratory virus, there are tests that can help determine which virus you may have and inform your treatment and prevention actions, like physical spacing and mask use. COVID-19 tests are widely available over the counter and from community testing sites. Your healthcare provider can help advise you on getting tested for flu, RSV, or other respiratory viruses.
Special considerations for testing:
Early testing can inform possible treatment options.
See information on CDC's COVID-19 prevention recommendations related to county hospital admission levels.
Additional guidance may be available from local health authorities or organizations.
