Respiratory illnesses such as the flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and COVID-19 are in peak season. The rise in cases places a strain on our healthcare system and the community. To reduce the risk of illness, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) recommends the following:
- Wash your hands often for at least 20 seconds with sudsy soap in warm water or use hand sanitizer if soap and water is not convenient
- Avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose where germs like to enter
- Stay home when you’re sick (even if it is “just a cold”) and isolate sick household members in separate rooms
- Wear a mask in crowded or poorly ventilated settings
- Limit the number of close contacts for young infants and individuals with certain chronic conditions
- Clean high-touch surfaces frequently with a cleaner that is known to kill these common viruses
In some respiratory illness cases, emergency services may be necessary. Consult this DOH infographic for guidance surrounding respiratory illness emergency warning signs:
For resources specific to the flu, RSV and COVID-19, consult the information below.
The flu
- DOH Flu Activity page — offers basic information about the flu, including flu activity, vaccines and recommendations
- DOH Knock Out Flu page — provides insight into the 2022-2023 flu season and prevention
- Knock Out Flu Toolkit — includes posters, social media graphics, blog posts and more
RSV
- CDC Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection (RSV) page — offers information about RSV symptoms and care, RSV in infants and children, and prevention recommendations
- RSV: When It’s More Than Just a Cold article — explores RSV symptoms and response recommendations
- DOH RSV video series — DOH experts respond to frequently asked questions such as, “I’m hearing a lot about RSV right now. What is going on?” and “What can I do if my child is sick and needs to see a doctor?”
COVID-19
- DOH COVID-19 page — provides information about COVID-19 prevention, vaccination, and current disease activity
- DOH Data Dashboards — offers the latest data on COVID-19 activity in Washington state
- DOH Vaccine Locator — find a COVID-19 vaccine based on your zip code
We received this information from the DH Community Partner Newsletter
