Preventing Respiratory Viruses (COVID-19, Flu and RSV)

Page last updated 12/3/2024.

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.

Core Prevention Strategies

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  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all people, ages 6 months and older, stay up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccines and receive a flu vaccine.
  • If you are 60 years and older, talk to your healthcare provider to see if the RSV vaccination is right for you. The CDC also recommends nirsevimbad, a monoclonal antibody product, for infants younger than 8 months who are born during - or entering - their first RSV season.
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  • Handwashing with soap removes most germs, including respiratory viruses, from your hands. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
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  • Viral particles in the air spread between people more readily indoors than outdoors. Taking steps for cleaner air, such as opening windows or using air filters, can reduce the amount of virus you are exposed to.

Additional Prevention Strategies

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  • 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.
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  • Stay away from others who are sick, if possible.
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  • COVID-19 tests are widely available over-the-counter and from community testing sites. 
  • Your healthcare provider can help advise you on getting test for flu, RSV, or other respiratory viruses.

Educational Materials

Fall & Winter Flyers

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Flyer-Stay up-to-date
Flyer-Stay up-to-date

"Who Should Get Vaccinated" Flyers

Flyer-Who Should Get Vaccinated?
Flyer-Who Should Get Vaccinated?
Flyer-Who Should Get Vaccinated?
Sanitation and hygiene guide front cover, featuring various infection prevention strategies.

Sanitation and Hygiene Guide — A guide for providers that help persons experiencing homelessness.

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Repiratory viruses prevention flyer-Stall well this fall and winter

Stay Well This Fall and Winter

English | معلومات باللغة العربية (Arabic) | 中文信息 (Chinese) | فارسی (Farsi) | 한국어 정보 (Korean) | Macluumaad Af-Soomaali ah (Somali) | Español (Spanish) | Impormasyon sa Tagalog (Tagalog) | Thông Tin Bằng Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)

Respiratory Viruses Symptoms

Respiratory Viruses Symptoms

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Understanding COVID-19, flu, and RSV venn diagram

Understanding COVID-19, Flu, and RSV

English | معلومات باللغة العربية (Arabic) | 中文信息 (Chinese) |  فارسی (Farsi) | 한국어 정보 (Korean) | Macluumaad Af-Soomaali ah (Somali) | Español (Spanish) | Impormasyon sa Tagalog (Tagalog) | Thông Tin Bằng Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)

Vaccines lower the risk of severe disease. Ask your healthcare provider about which vaccines are right for you this season.

Vaccines for Respiratory Viruses
English | معلومات باللغة العربية (Arabic) | 中文信息 (Chinese) | فارسی (Farsi) | 한국어 정보 (Korean) | Soomaali (Somali) |  Español (Spanish) | Impormasyon sa Tagalog (Tagalog) | Thông Tin Bằng Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)

COVID-Flu-RSV_Vaccinations_FAQs

COVID-19, Flu, and RSV Vaccinations

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/content/dam/sdc/hhsa/programs/phs/Epidemiology/respiratory-viruses/COVID-Flu-RSV_Vaccinations_FAQs.pdf

Protect Your Child from COVID-19, Flu, & RSV

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California Department of Public Health

Call the Epidemiology Unit at (619) 692-8499, or send an e-mail, for more information.