Respiratory Illnesses
Respiratory illnesses like COVID-19, flu, and RSV can affect people year-round.
This page shares simple information and trusted links to help keep you and your family healthy.
Respiratory Illnesses: What You Should Know
Respiratory illnesses are infections that affect the nose, throat, and lungs. Some are mild, like the common cold, while others can be more serious. Many respiratory illnesses spread more easily in the fall and winter, but they can occur at any time of year.
This page shares easy-to-understand information about common respiratory illnesses, how they spread, symptoms to watch for, and how to protect yourself and others. It also includes links to trusted sources for the most up-to-date information.
Common Respiratory Illnesses
Several viruses and bacteria can cause respiratory illness. The most common include:
COVID-19
COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that continues to circulate in our communities. Most people now have some protection from vaccines or past infection, which helps reduce the risk of severe illness. Guidance now focuses on staying home when sick and protecting those at higher risk.
Learn more: cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses
Flu (Influenza)
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness that can cause fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, and fatigue. Flu symptoms can vary based on the type of flu virus and genetic changes to the virus, even within the same flu season. Some people, including older adults, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are more likely to get very sick from the flu. Flu vaccines are updated each year and are the best way to prevent flu.
Learn more: cdc.gov/flu
RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)
RSV is a common virus that usually causes cold-like symptoms. It can be serious for infants, young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems. Safe and effective vaccines and preventive treatments are now available for some groups.
Learn more: cdc.gov/rsv
Colds and Other Respiratory Viruses
Many different viruses can cause respiratory illnesses, including the common cold. These illnesses are very common and usually cause mild symptoms like a runny nose, sore throat, cough, or congestion. However, some respiratory viruses can cause more serious illness in young children, older adults, and people with certain health conditions.
How Respiratory Illnesses Spread
Respiratory illnesses spread mainly through:
• Close contact with someone who is sick
• Coughing, sneezing, talking, or breathing
• Touching surfaces with germs and then touching your face
Symptoms to Watch For
Symptoms can be similar across different illnesses and may include:
• Cough
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Sore throat
• Fever or chills
• Shortness of breath
• Feeling very tired
• Body aches or headaches
If symptoms are severe, get worse, or you are at higher risk for complications, contact a healthcare provider.
How to Protect Yourself and Others
You can help reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses by:
• Staying home when you are sick
• Covering coughs and sneezes
• Washing your hands often
• Keeping up to date on recommended vaccines
• Taking extra precautions if you or those around you are at higher risk
Simple prevention steps make a big difference: cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses
Testing and Treatment
Testing can help identify some respiratory illnesses, such as COVID-19 or flu. Treatments may include:
• Rest and fluids
• Over-the-counter medicines to reduce symptoms
• Prescription medications for some illnesses and people at higher risk. These must be started within the first 24-48 hours of symptoms to be most effective.
A healthcare provider can help decide what care is best for you. Staying home when sick and practicing good hygiene can help prevent spreading germs to others.
Tracking Respiratory Illness Activity
Public health agencies monitor respiratory illness activity to understand what is circulating in communities and help guide prevention efforts. Current respiratory illness data from the CDC:
cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/data
The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) collects, compiles, and analyzes information on New York State respiratory activity year-round and produces a weekly report during the respiratory season (October through the following May). Current data from the NYSDOH: health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/influenza/surveillance/
New York State is closely monitoring the COVID-19 epidemic across data sources related to testing, hospitalization, fatalities, vaccination, and a variety of other topics. Current COVID-19 data from the NYSDOH: coronavirus.health.ny.gov/covid-19-data-new-york
The Onondaga County COVID-19 data archive contains data for several indicators that were previously reported by the Onondaga County Health Department including annual summaries for 2020 through 2022. Historical COVID-19 data may be requested by calling 315-435-3280 or emailing ongovhealth@ongov.net.
Trusted Sources for More Information
For the most current and reliable information, visit:
• COVID and other respiratory illnesses cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses
• Flu cdc.gov/flu
• RSV cdc.gov/rsv