Respiratory Viruses | Vermont Department of Health

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Know your respiratory illnesses.

Viral illnesses like COVID-19, RSV, and flu are currently spreading in the U.S. at low levels. Activity will increase in the coming weeks, especially with winter holidays. It's not too late to get vaccinated against COVID-19, flu, and RSV.
Bacterial illnesses - like whooping cough (pertussis) - are also on the rise. Whooping cough is treatable with antibiotics. Make sure you and your family are up to date on whooping cough vaccinations.
Respiratory illnesses caused by the bacteria Mycoplasma pneumoniae are also increasing, especially in young children. While this illness is common and generally mild, it has led to an increase of pneumonia, or lung infection. When an M. pneumoniae infection progresses to pneumonia, it's often called “walking pneumonia" because people seem better than expected for someone with a lung infection. Most children will get better without treatment, but antibiotics are recommended for more serious infections, including pneumonia.

Vaccines are one of the most important prevention tools.

Getting vaccinated against respiratory viruses like COVID, flu and RSV is one of the most important steps you can take to stay healthy during the fall and winter months. Vaccines protect against severe illness and hospitalization. If you do get sick, getting vaccinated can make your symptoms milder and not as long-lasting.

Everyone 6 months and older should get an annual flu vaccine

Flu Vaccine

Everyone 6 months and older should get at least one yearly COVID vaccine

COVID Vaccine

Infants and Adults ages 60 and older can get added protection from RSV

RSV Immunizations

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Have questions about COVID vaccines and the vaccine development process?

Always discuss any questions and concerns you may have with your health care provider to help you feel more confident in your decision about vaccines.

Visit the CDC’s Myths & Facts About COVID-19 Vaccines

Everyday Prevention Steps

We all have a role to play in preventing the spread of germs by practicing these everyday prevention measures:

Stay up to date with vaccines. Vaccines protect against serious illness and hospitalization. They can make your symptoms milder and shorter if you do get sick.
Wash your hands often with soap and warm water. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol to kill germs.
Cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or tissue.
Avoid contact with others if you or they are sick.
Consider wearing a mask, especially if you or people you are with are at higher risk of serious illness, or if you have recently been around someone with symptoms of a respiratory virus.
Take steps for cleaner air. This can mean bringing in fresh outside air, purifying indoor air, or gathering outdoors.

Learn more

Treatment and Care

Most people get better in a week or two. Treat mild symptoms at home with supportive care—like getting plenty of rest and drinking lots of liquids. If you have more serious symptoms or are at higher risk of getting very sick, call your health care provider right away. Antibiotics do not work on the viruses that cause common colds, flu, RSV or COVID.

Flu and COVID-19 Antiviral Medications

If you have COVID-19 or flu and are at risk of getting very sick, your doctor may prescribe antiviral medicine that can make your symptoms milder and not as long lasting, and lower your risk of hospitalization. Don't delay—treatment must be started within days after you first develop symptoms to be effective.

Antivirals medicines for flu and COVID may be recommended for adults ages 50 and older, people with certain medical conditions and those who are immunocompromised, or babies and young children under 5 (flu only). Learn more about treatment options (CDC)

RSV

Antiviral medication is not routinely recommended to fight RSV. Most RSV infections go away on their own in a week or two. However, RSV can cause serious illness in some people. Learn more about care for RSV (CDC)

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Last Updated: December 5, 2024