Respiratory Illnesses and RSV (2024)

Download our respiratory illness factsheet

Download the where to seek care factsheet

Common symptoms of respiratory illnesses

Fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, shortness of breath, muscle aches, fatigue, vomiting/diarrhea, abdominal pain.

What to do if you have symptoms

Stay home until you are fever-free (without using fever-reducing medication AND your symptoms have been improving for 24 hours (48 hours for vomiting/diarrhea).
If you can’t stay home: wear a well-fitting mask and avoid non-essential mask-less activities for 10 days from when symptoms started.
Don’t visit those at high-risk of severe illness including those in long-term care, retirement homes or in hospital.

How respiratory viruses spread

Through the air when a person coughs or sneezes. Droplets from the cough or sneeze can reach another person’s nose or mouth and be inhaled, or they may come in contact with a person’s eyes or mouth. Being close (less than two meters apart) to someone with the infection who is coughing or sneezing.
Direct contact:such as kissing an infectedperson.
Indirect contact:such as touching a surface,likea toy,doorknobor another person,that has germs (virus) on it, then touching their mouth, nose or eyes with unwashed hands.

Reducing the spread of respiratory illness

Keep your vaccinations up to date including getting your annual flu vaccine and any COVID-19 boosters/doses you are eligible for.
Wash your hands often and avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
Disinfect high-touch surfaces in your home and workplace.
Wear a mask:
- To protect yourself from viral respiratory illnesses.
- To protect others at higher risk of severe respiratory illness.
- When you’re recovering from illness.
How to Protect Yourself and Others from Respiratory Viruses (Public Health Ontario)

Treatment of respiratory illness

Most respiratory illnesses can be treated at home.Treatment for COVID-19 is available and must be taken within a few days of symptoms starting.

COVID-19

COVID-19 can cause mild cold-like symptoms to severe lung infections. Anti-viral treatment is available for those at higher risk of severe disease and complications. Vaccines for COVID-19 are available. Learn more aboutCOVID-19 symptoms,vaccination, andtreatment.

Influenza (Flu)

Flu generally occurs in the fall and winter months. Young children (under 5) and older adults are at higher risk of severe disease and complications. Annual influenza (flu) vaccines are coming soon.Learn more aboutflusymptoms, vaccination, and treatment.

RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infects the lungs and airways. It causes colds and is the most common cause of bronchiolitis in young infants and toddlers. Most children will have at least one RSV infection by the age of two. The infection is most severe in young babies and older adults and can cause serious lung infections that may require hospitalization. However, most infants and children infected by RSV typically experience mild symptoms that last a few days. Older children and adults also getRSVbut symptoms are typically mild, similar to a common cold.

After exposure to the virus, it can take two to eight days before children become sick and are contagious for up to three to eight days. Children are often exposed to and infected with RSV outside the home, such as in school orchild carecenters, andcan thentransmitthe virus to other members of the family.

Symptoms of RSVcan include:

Coughing, runny nose, fever, wheezing, decreased appetite andenergy, and irritability.

Vaccination and treatment

Health Canada approved the first RSV vaccine for adults 60 years of age and older.To find out if you are eligible for a free RSV vaccine and how to access the vaccine visit ourImmunizations for Older Adultsweb page. Ottawa Public Health is not providing this vaccine at our immunization clinics.
TheNational Advisory Committee on Immunization is reviewing the use of Arexvy.
For more information on RSV and the RSV vaccine, visit Ontario.ca.

How to treat RSV at home?

Use over-the-counter acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fever and pain. Do not give ibuprofen to babies under six months old without first speaking to your health care provider. Never give aspirin to children.
Offer plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. If your baby is having trouble drinking, try to clear nasal congestion with a bulb syringe or saline nose drops.
A lukewarm bath or wet face cloth may help your child feel more comfortable. Avoid cold baths because they can make your child shiver, raising their temperature.
Dress your child in light clothing. If your child starts to shiver, add warmerclothingand remove them when the shivering stops.
Consult your health care provider before giving your child non-prescription cold medicines or if you have concerns about your child’s symptoms.

Common Cold

The ‘common cold’ is caused by viruses (germs) that infect the nose, throat and sinuses causing upper respiratory tract infections. Colds are most common in the fall and winter when people are indoors and in close contact with each other. They're so common in fact that it's normal for children under five years old to have as many as 12 upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) in one year.Upper respiratory tract infections, like colds, cause symptoms in the nose, throat and sinuses.There is no vaccination available for the common cold.See this helpful video on ways to beat the common cold at home. You can also find more information on CHEO’s webpage. 

Helpful resources

Download our respiratory illness factsheet, also available in French and Inuktitut.

COVID-19

OPH COVID-19 Dashboard
Wastewater COVID-19 surveillance
Prevent the spread of respiratory viruses

Influenza (Flu)

OPH Influenza Report
Prevent the spread of respiratory viruses

RSV

Common cold

Monitoring respiratory illness activity

OPH will continue to monitor the COVID-19, influenza and RSVsituation in Ottawa using a variety of monitoring indicators. Visit our respiratory dashboard to see the levels of respiratory viruses circulating in our community - this will help you make informed decisions for you and your family about risk of respiratory illness this season.

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