Preventing Common Respiratory Infections

• Symptoms may include runny or stuffy nose, coughing and sneezing, and sore throat. Cold symptoms tend to be milder than flu symptoms.

• Symptoms tend to come on slowly. They last for a few days to about 1 week.

• With a cold, you may still feel able to do most of the things you normally do.

• Colds can spread from person to person. Keep germs from spreading by following the tips below.

• Symptoms may include fever, chills, headache, extreme tiredness (fatigue), cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and muscle aches. Children may have upset stomach and vomiting, but adults often don’t.

• Symptoms tend to come on quickly. Some, such as fatigue and cough, can last a few weeks.

• With the flu, you may feel worn out and not able to do normal activities.

• The flu can spread from person to person. Keep germs from spreading by following the tips below.

• It’s most likely not the flu if an adult has vomiting or diarrhea for 1 or 2 days. This so-called “stomach flu” is probably a gastrointestinal infection.

Without proper care, a respiratory infection can get worse. It can lead to serious complications and death. If you aren’t getting better or if your symptoms are getting worse, call your healthcare provider. Complications can include:

• Bronchitis (infection of the airways that leads to shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing up thick yellow or green mucus)

• Pneumonia (infection of the lungs in which fluid and mucus settle in the lungs, making breathing difficult)

• Worsening of chronic conditions such as heart failure, chronic lung disease, asthma, or diabetes

• Severe dehydration (loss of fluids)

• Sinus problems

• Ear infections

Ask your healthcare provider what vaccines are right for you and when you should get them. Recommended vaccines may include:

• Influenza vaccine. This is often called a flu shot. This vaccine protects you from influenza. Get a vaccine each fall, before flu season starts. Flu is most common in the U.S. during the fall and winter. You can get a flu shot at a clinic, healthcare provider’s office, pharmacy, senior center, or through your workplace.
• Pneumococcal vaccine. There are 2 pneumococcal pneumonia vaccines that protect against bacterial pneumonia. Talk with your healthcare provider about these important vaccines.
• COVID-19 vaccine. There are several different COVID-19 vaccines. They help protect you from COVID-19, especially from severe illness and death. Talk with your healthcare provider to learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine.

No one likes getting sick. Viruses that cause colds, flu, and other respiratory infections can spread from person to person. To protect yourself and others from germs:

• Wear a mask in public places.

• Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze. Use a tissue or your elbow. Don't use your hands. Throw the used tissue away. Always wash your hands after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.

• Wash your hands often with clean, running water and soap. Scrub them for at least 20 seconds. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer when you don’t have access to soap and water.

• Don’t touch your eyes, nose, and mouth. This may help you keep germs out of your body.

• Stay away from other people with respiratory infections. Also limit close contact with others if you are sick. Avoid crowds during flu season.

• Don't smoke and don't let others smoke in your home or car.

• Use clean, running water and plenty of soap. Work up a good lather.

• Clean your whole hand, under your nails, between your fingers, and up your wrists. Wash for at least 20 seconds. Don’t just wipe—rub well. If you need help timing, sing the Happy Birthday song twice.

• Rinse. Let the water run down your fingertips, not up your wrists.

• In a public restroom, use a paper towel to turn off the faucet and open the door.

• If you can't use soap and water, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.