Preventing Respiratory Illnesses (original) (raw)

• CDC provides practical recommendations to help people lower health risks posed by a range of common respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, flu, and RSV.
• Essential core prevention strategies are actions that everyone can take to protect themselves and others from respiratory illnesses.
• Additional prevention actions offer an extra layer of protection and can be especially important in certain settings.

Overview

Each year, respiratory viruses are responsible for millions of illnesses and thousands of hospitalizations and deaths in the United States. The good news is there are actions you can take to help protect yourself and others from health risks caused by respiratory viruses.

Reducing risk

Respiratory illnesses can make anyone sick. However, some people have risk factors that can increase their chances of getting very sick (severe illness). If you are, or if you spend time with someone, at higher risk for getting very sick, these prevention strategies are especially important.

Core prevention strategies

Core prevention strategies are essential practices recommended for everyone. They provide a foundation of protection for you and your loved ones:

• Stay up to date with recommended immunizations. Talk to your doctor or trusted healthcare provider about what may be recommended for you and your family.
• Practice good hygiene like washing your hands regularly and cleaning commonly touched surfaces.
• Take steps for cleaner air as possible in places where people live and work.
• When sick with a respiratory illness:
  • Use precautions to prevent spread. Stay home and away from others.
  • Seek health care promptly for treatment if you have risk factors for severe illness; treatment may help lower your risk of severe illness.

Additional prevention strategies

Additional prevention strategies are extra measures you can choose that can further reduce your risk of respiratory illness. They can provide an extra layer of protection and can be especially important in certain settings or when illnesses are increasing in your community.

• Wearing masks
• Physical distancing
• Tests

You may not be aware of the things that can make others more vulnerable to serious illness. If you are unsure about the health condition or risk status of those around you, the most protective option is choosing to use these additional prevention strategies.

Key times for prevention

All of the prevention strategies described in this guidance can be helpful to reduce risk. They are especially helpful when:

• Respiratory viruses are causing a lot of illness in your community. One thing to remember, though, is that vaccines take time to work. It's best to get vaccinated before viruses start spreading in your community.
• You or the people around you were recently exposed to a respiratory virus, are sick, or are recovering.
• You or the people around you have risk factors for severe illness.

Aug. 18, 2025