Respiratory Immunizations: Influenza (Flu), COVID-19 and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

• Influenza (the flu) spreads easily and can cause serious illness, especially in young children and older adults.  
• Influenza is a virus that affects the lungs. It is not the common cold.
• Influenza is among the top ten leading causes of death in Canada.  
• Influenza spreads through the air when people cough, sneeze, or talk, and by touching contaminated surfaces and objects.  
• Symptoms can include sudden high fever, cough, muscle aches, headache, sore throat, tiredness, and loss of appetite. Upset stomach, vomiting, and diarrhea may also occur, especially in children. 

• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and do not share food, drinks, or utensils. 
• Wash your hands with soap and water after coughing, sneezing, wiping a nose, or eating, and before preparing food. 
• Stay home if you are not feeling well, and keep your child at home if they are not feeling well. Children with influenza may return to school 5–7 days from the start of symptoms. 
• If your child has a fever greater than 39°C, or if symptoms worsen or persist, contact your health care provider.

• COVID-19 is an illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. 
• COVID-19 can spread through close contact with an infected person. 
• You may become infected if you touch a contaminated surface or object, and then touch your eyes, nose or mouth before you clean your hands. 
• The COVID-19 virus can spread before a person shows symptoms. 
• High risk people such as young children, adults 65 years and older and people with certain health conditions, are at greater risk of contracting the virus and experiencing complications.
• COVID-19 is not a common cold or the flu. 

• Common signs and symptoms include:
  • sore throat 
  • runny nose 
  • sneezing 
  • new or worsening cough 
  • shortness of breath or difficulty breathing 
  • temperature equal to or more than 38°C 
  • feeling feverish 
  • chills 
  • fatigue or weakness 
  • muscle or body aches 
  • new loss of smell or taste 
  • headache 
  • abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting 
  • feeling very unwell 

Vaccination is one of the most important ways to protect yourself having serious complications from COVID-19. It is important to stay up to date with your vaccinations.

• COVID-19 vaccines used in Canada are very effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19.
• If you are worried about your symptoms, please contact your health care provider.
• To alleviate some of your symptoms, such as fever and cough, your health care provider may prescribe medications.
• Treatments are not a substitute for vaccination, but they can help prevent complications.
• Health Canada has approved medications that treat COVID-19 symptoms as well as medications that reduce or stop the virus from multiplying in human cells.

Reduce the spread of COVID-19 by:

• Staying home and limiting contact with others when you're sick, even if your symptoms are mild
• Wearing a well-fitting mask when appropriate 
• Improving indoor ventilation, when possible, such as opening windows or doors if it is safe to do so 
• Practicing good hand hygiene by washing your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using a hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol 
• Covering your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow 
• Cleaning and disinfecting high-touch surfaces and objects 

• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus and follows an annual seasonal pattern. In Canada, there is increased activity usually in the fall to the early spring.
• RSV is very contagious. 
• The virus spreads through close contact with an infected person. 
• You may become infected if you touch a contaminated surface or object, and then touch your eyes, nose or mouth before you clean your hands. 
• Infants, young children, older adults and people with certain health conditions are especially vulnerable. In healthy children and adults, RSV symptoms are similar to those of the common cold.
• Symptoms usually begin 2 to 8 days after exposure to RSV:
  • runny nose 
  • coughing 
  • sneezing 
  • wheezing 
  • fever 
  • decrease in appetite and energy 

In infants, symptoms may include:

• irritability
• difficulty breathing
• decreased appetite or feeding
• decreased activity

To reduce the risk of infection and spreading RSV to others:

• Stay at home and limit contact with others when you're sick to avoid spreading the illness. 
• Avoid close contact, such as shaking hands, kissing and sharing utensils with people who have cold-like symptoms. 
• Properly wear a well-fitting respirator or mask as this helps protect those around you from getting sick. 
• Wear a well-fitting mask when appropriate.
  • Children under the age of 2 should not wear a mask.
  • Children between the ages of 2 and 5 may be able to wear a mask when supervised only if they can tolerate it, put the mask on, and take it off themselves.
• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. 
• Always cover a cough or sneeze, you can use a tissue or your elbow (not your hand). 
• Throw away any used tissues into a trash bin, and clean your hands right away.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unclean hands. 
• Improve indoor ventilation when possible, such as opening windows or doors. 
• Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces and objects, such as doorknobs, toys or furniture. 

If you have concerns about your symptoms, contact your healthcare provider. There are products available that have been shown to prevent RSV disease. For infants, the approved product Beyfortus, which is a monoclonal antibody, is used to prevent RSV. This product is not used to treat infants who already have RSV. There is a vaccine approved for use during pregnancy (Abrysvo) to prevent RSV in infants. There are 2 vaccine products (Arexvy and Abrysvo) available to prevent RSV disease for adults 60 years of age and older. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best options for you and your family.