COVID-19 & Other Respiratory Diseases

Respiratory Diseases

Respiratory viruses, like influenza (flu), COVID-19, and RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) circulate year-round in the U.S. and California but are typically more active in fall and winter. This period of time is referred to as “cold and flu season” or “respiratory virus season.”

Respiratory viruses can cause cold or flu-like symptoms. They can spread through the air by coughing or sneezing. You can also pick up the virus by touching contaminated items and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. People can take simple actions to lower their chances of getting and spreading respiratory viruses. These precautions are especially important for people at higher risk of severe illness.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Most people infected with the virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. However, some will become seriously ill and require medical attention. Older people and those with underlying medical conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, or cancer are more likely to develop serious illness. Anyone can get sick with COVID-19 and become seriously ill or die at any age.

If you test positive for COVID-19, there are at-home medications you can take. They are effective for preventing serious illness and are widely available and free, regardless of insurance or citizenship status.

The following list does not include all possible symptoms. Symptoms may change with new COVID-19 variants and can vary depending on vaccination status. Possible symptoms include:

Fever or chills
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
New loss of taste or smell
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Headache
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea

Flu can be a serious illness that is easily spread from person to person. CDC estimates that flu causes millions of illnesses, hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and thousands of deaths each year in the United States. The best way to protect yourself and your family against flu is by getting vaccinated. Everyone six months of age and older should receive the flu vaccine every year.

Flu symptoms usually come on suddenly. People who have flu often feel some or all of these signs and symptoms:

Fever* or feeling feverish/chills
Cough
Sore throat
Runny or stuffy nose
Muscle or body aches
Headaches
Fatigue (tiredness)
Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.

*It's important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.*

RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) is a common respiratory virus that causes colds but can be severe for infants and older adults. It can spread when someone with the virus sneezes or coughs, through close contact with someone who is sick, or by touching infected surfaces and then touching your face without first washing your hands. People with RSV infection typically have fever, cough, runny nose, wheezing—and in very young infants—increased irritability and difficulty breathing.

There isn't a cure for RSV yet, but there are ways to manage symptoms at home. If you or your child are dealing with mild symptoms, here are some tips:

Ease congestion
Get rest and stay hydrated
Use over-the-counter medication
Stay home

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