Public Health Update: Respiratory Illness

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There have been reports of COVID-19 and other flu-like respiratory illnesses in the community. Taking a few simple precautions can help protect you, your family, and others.

Help Prevent the Spread of Respiratory Illness
  • Stay up to date with recommended immunizations for Flu, COVID-19, and RSV, if eligible.
  • Wash your hands frequently with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the upper part of your sleeve. Throw used tissues away and wash your hands afterward.
  • Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.
  • Consider wearing a well-fitting mask, especially when you are sick or will be around people who may be at higher risk for serious illness.
  • Clean frequently touched surfaces, such as counters and doorknobs.
  • Improve indoor air when possible by bringing in fresh outdoor air or using an air cleaner.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
When You Have a Respiratory Illness

Stay home and away from others, including people you live with who are not sick, when possible.

Symptoms of respiratory illness can include:

  • Chills
  • Fever or feeling feverish
  • Fatigue
  • Cough
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Sneezing
  • Headache
  • Sore throat
  • Decreased appetite
  • Muscle or body aches
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Weakness
  • Wheezing
  • Vomiting or diarrhea
When Can I Return to Normal Activities?

You can return to normal activities, including work, when both of the following have been true for at least 24 hours:

  • Your symptoms are getting better overall; and
  • You have not had a fever and are not using fever-reducing medication.
Take Extra Precautions for the Next 5 Days

Even when you are feeling better, you may still be able to spread the virus that made you sick.

For the next five days:

  • Consider wearing a well-fitting mask when you are around others.
  • Practice good hand hygiene.
  • Improve ventilation or use cleaner indoor air when possible.
  • Consider physical distancing or testing when you will be around other people, particularly those at higher risk for serious illness.

If you develop a fever or begin feeling worse after returning to normal activities, stay home and away from others again. You may return to normal activities when your symptoms are improving overall and you have been fever-free without fever-reducing medication for at least 24 hours. Then take added precautions for another five days.

If You Are at Higher Risk for Serious Illness

If you are age 65 or older or have a medical condition that increases your risk of complications from respiratory illness:

  • Consider testing for COVID-19 or flu. At-home COVID-19 tests and some combination COVID-19/flu tests are available. Community Health and Healing House are not providing tests at this time. Tests may be purchased at pharmacies.
  • Contact your primary care provider promptly to ask whether testing or antiviral medication may be appropriate. Treatments for COVID-19 and flu work best when started early.
  • If you are an established Healing House patient, contact Healing House for guidance. Healing House does not accept walk-ins. If you cannot see your primary care provider, consider an urgent care clinic.
Managing Symptoms at Home

Most people with mild respiratory illness can manage their symptoms at home.

Helpful measures include:

  • Get plenty of rest.
  • Drink plenty of fluids.
  • Use over-the-counter medications, such as fever or pain reducers, as appropriate. Read and follow package directions carefully and contact your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
  • Over-the-counter cough and cold medicines are not recommended for children younger than 6 unless directed by a healthcare provider.
  • Consider using a clean, cool-mist humidifier or vaporizer.
When to Seek Medical Care

Contact a healthcare provider if you or your child:

  • Have a medical condition that increases the risk of severe illness.
  • Have signs of dehydration.
  • Have a fever lasting longer than four days.
  • Have symptoms lasting more than 10 days without getting better.
  • Have symptoms, such as fever or cough, that improve and then return or worsen.
  • Have a chronic medical condition that gets worse.

Seek emergency medical care for trouble breathing, chest pain, or other severe or concerning symptoms.

This list is not all-inclusive. Contact a healthcare provider for any symptom that is severe, worsening, or concerning.

Sources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

  • Preventing Spread of Respiratory Viruses When You’re Sick
  • Manage Common Cold
  • Preventing Respiratory Illnesses