Close Alert Banner
Skip to Content

kfla Public Health Logo

Contact Us
NewsContact UsLogin
FR EN
  • Health Topics
    • Climate change
    • Dental health
    • Health hazards
    • Food and healthy eating
    • Immunizations and vaccines
    • Infections and infectious diseases
    • Injury prevention and safety
    • Mental well-being
    • Parenting
    • Physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep
    • Pregnancy
    • Safe water
    • Sexual health
    • Substance use health
    • Violence
  • Organizations and Professionals
    • Business owners, operators and vendors
    • Climate Change FAQ
    • Early childhood educators
    • Elementary and secondary school educators
    • Health care providers
    • Long-term care and retirement homes
  • Clinics and Classes
    • Dental hygiene clinics
    • Immunization clinics
    • Infant feeding clinics
    • Feeding Your Baby Solid Foods
    • Food For You, Food For Two classes
    • Low-cost rabies clinic
    • Prenatal and family home visiting program
    • Prenatal classes
    • Sexual health clinics
  • About Us
    • Accessibility
    • Annual reports
    • Board of Health
    • Employment and volunteering
    • Policies
    • Strategic plan
  • I Want To:

Preventing the spread of respiratory infections

HomeHealth TopicsInfections and infectious diseasesPreventing the spread of respiratory infections
  • Open new window to share this page via Facebook Facebook
  • Open new window to share this page via Twitter Twitter
  • Open new window to share this page via LinkedIn LinkedIn
  • Email this page Email

Person wearing a mask and coughing into their sleeve

Every year many people get infections in parts of the body that affect breathing, such as the throat, airways, or lungs (respiratory infections). These infections are usually caused by viruses (germs) like COVID-19, Influenza, RSV, and colds. Other germs such as bacteria can cause infections in the lungs (pneumonia).

While a cold is a very common illness that usually gets better without treatment, other infections like Influenza or COVID-19 can make some people very sick leading to hospitalization and death, especially for very young children and older adults or those who have other health conditions.

Many respiratory infections have the same symptoms but can cause very different illnesses and outcomes. No matter what the respiratory illness is, there are actions that can be taken to help keep yourself and others healthy and stop the spread of respiratory illness.

If your health care provider has told you that you have a specific respiratory illness, you should follow their instructions.

KFL&A Public Health tracks respiratory illness activity in our region and shares this information on the respiratory illness surveillance in KFL&A dashboard and our viral respiratory mapper tool.

Most respiratory germs are easily spread through:

  • The air when a person coughs or sneezes and the germs land in the nose, mouth or eyes of a person who is nearby (usually within six feet away) or are breathed into the lungs.
  • Touch, like kissing or holding hands with someone who is sick (direct contact).
  • Touching an object or surface that has germs on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes (indirect contact). This is a less common way of spreading.

Preventing respiratory illnesses

Each of the following actions adds a layer of protection that can lower the chance of you or those around you becoming sick with a respiratory illness. Use as many of these actions as you can, as often as you can.

Get immunized

Stay up to date with influenza, COVID-19 and RSV immunizations. If you are over the age of 65 or have any health conditions, talk to a health care provider about what other vaccinations are available to you. 

Wear a mask

The Province of Ontario and KFL&A Public Health recommend wearing a mask:

  • To protect yourself from viral respiratory illnesses.
  • To protect others at higher risk of severe illnesses.
  • When you are recovering from illness
  • When visiting high risk settings. 

Clean your hands

Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds or clean with alcohol-based hand sanitizer (containing at least 60 to 90% alcohol).

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.

Cover your coughs and sneezes

Cough or sneeze into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand, or use disposable tissues and be sure to dispose of them in a lined waste basket and wash your hands immediately afterwards.

Stay home when you are sick

Check regularly for symptoms of respiratory illness. To prevent the spread of illness, stay away from others when you are sick, except to seek testing or medical care if needed.

You should stay away from others until: 

  • your symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours (or 48 hours if you have nausea, vomiting or diarrhea),
  • you do not have a fever, and
  • you have not developed any new symptoms.

To protect those in your household from infection:

  • Reduce contact with other members of your household. Use a separate bedroom and bathroom if possible. If the bathroom must be shared, be sure you have your own towel.
  • Wear a well-fitted mask when you are around others in the house.
  • Clean your hands often using alcohol-based hand sanitizer or soap and water.
  • Cough into a tissue or your sleeve, and wash your hands after coughing, sneezing, or touching your mouth or face.
  • Do not share anything that goes in your mouth, such as eating utensils, drinking glasses, or toothbrushes. 

Stay away from people at higher risk for serious illness

Continue to wear a well fitted mask for 10 days after symptoms start. Avoid contact with people who have weakened immune systems, very young children, and older adults.

If you have been told you have a specific infection, your health care provider or public health will give you instructions on preventing the spread of the infection. 

Notify people that might have been exposed 

People with respiratory illness should notify anyone who they had close contact with while they had symptoms. If you have been told you were around someone with respiratory illness, follow these steps for 10 days after you last saw the person who is sick:

  • Watch for symptoms of illness. Stay away from others if you become sick.
  • Wear a well fitted mask in all public settings.
  • Avoid non-essential visits to anyone who is has a weakened immune system or is at higher risk of illness, such as seniors.
  • Avoid non-essential visits to high-risk places such as hospitals and long-term care homes
  • Follow any directions provided by your workplace.

A health care provider or public health will provide specific instructions for certain infections. 

Improve ventilation and air filtration

Ensure good indoor air ventilation. It replaces indoor air with outdoor air which will decrease the amount of virus or bacteria that may be in the air.

When possible, keep windows open at home or in a vehicle.

Air purifiers are also known as portable air filtration devices. When used properly, they can reduce the amount of some viruses (germs) in the air. 

Who is at risk of serious illness?

Infants, young children, and older adults, as well as those who have a weakened immune system or have other health conditions are more at risk for serious illness requiring hospitalization or sometimes death. Taking steps to prevent illness such as staying away from others when sick and making sure you are up to date with immunizations are important prevention measures. 

Comparison of COVID-19, influenza, RSV and colds

Time from exposure to start of symptoms

COVID-19InfluenzaRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV)Cold (rhinovirus)
1 to 14 days  1 to 4 days 3 to 7 days 2 to 4 days

Symptoms

 SymptomCOVID-19InfluenzaRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV)Cold (rhinovirus)
Fever Common Common Common Rare
Fatigue  Common Common Common Rare
Cough  Common Common Common Common 
Aches and pains  Common Common Common Sometimes 
Runny or stuffy nose  Sometimes Common Common Common
Sore throat  Sometimes Common Common Common 
Diarrhea  Common Sometimes Sometimes Rare 
Headaches  Common Common Common Rare 
Shortness of breath  Sometimes Sometimes Sometimes Never
Loss of smell or taste  Sometimes Never Never Never

Vaccination

COVID-19InfluenzaRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV)Cold (rhinovirus)
COVID-19 vaccine and boosters Annual influenza vaccine  No vaccine No vaccine

Complications

COVID-19InfluenzaRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV)Cold (rhinovirus)

Blood clots, Pneumonia, Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C)

Long-COVID

Pneumonia, can worsen a current chronic condition, can be life-threatening Pneumonia, bronchiolitis Can lead to sinus congestion or earache

Treatment

Most respiratory illnesses can be treated with rest, fluids, and medication to reduce fever and pain. If you are feeling very sick and need medical attention, contact your health care provider.

  • Visit the Ontario College of Family Physicians website for tips on caring for: 
  • Children with respiratory symptoms and
  • teens and adults with respiratory symptoms

Some people who have respiratory illnesses, like COVID-19, can be treated with Paxlovid. Paxlovid treatment is a medication available in pharmacies, without a prescription from a physician, for people who are eligible. See the COVID-19 antiviral treatment screener to determine if you are eligible for treatment. 

If you cannot access a health care provider, or do not have a health care provider, contact Health811, by calling 8-1-1 (TTY 1-866-797-0007), or join a live chat with a health care navigator.

Subscribe to page updates
Health Topics
  • Infections and infectious diseases
    Toggle Section Infections and infectious diseases Menu
    • Avian influenza (bird flu)
    • COVID-19
    • Common childhood illnesses
    • Infection prevention and control lapses
    • Influenza
    • Invasive Meningococcal Disease
    • Lyme and tickborne diseases
    • Measles
      Toggle Section Measles Menu
      • Measles exposures
    • Mpox (monkeypox) virus
    • Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
    • Preventing the spread of respiratory infections
    • Rabies
    • Respiratory illness surveillance in KFL&A
    • Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
    • Tuberculosis
    • Vomiting and diarrhea (gastroenteritis)
    • West Nile Virus
  • View full Health Topics menu
    Toggle Section
    • Climate change
      Toggle Section Climate change Menu
      • Air quality
      • Extreme temperatures
      • Extreme weather and natural hazards
      • Food and water-borne illness
      • Ultraviolet radiation
      • Vector-borne disease
    • Dental health
      Toggle Section Dental health Menu
      • Dental care by age
      • Dental hygiene clinics
      • Tooth decay is increasing
      • Water fluoridation
    • Health hazards
      Toggle Section Health hazards Menu
      • Preparing for emergencies
      • Electromagnetic Fields
      • Hickory Tussock Moth caterpillars
      • Lead
      • Radon
      • Sun and UV safety
    • Food and healthy eating
      Toggle Section Food and healthy eating Menu
      • Choose water
      • Feeding your baby
      • Food and nutrition services
      • Food safety
      • Food skills
      • Healthy eating in the workplace
      • Healthy food choices by age
      • Introducing solid foods
      • Safe food handler training
      • Sport and recreational leagues
      • The cost of eating healthy
    • Immunizations and vaccines
      Toggle Section Immunizations and vaccines Menu
      • COVID-19
      • Grade 7 school-based immunizations
      • Immunization records and reporting
      • Immunization schedule by age
      • Influenza
      • Invasive Meningococcal Disease
      • Measles
      • Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine
      • Tips before getting vaccinated
    • Injury prevention and safety
      Toggle Section Injury prevention and safety Menu
      • On and off-road safety
      • Preventing a fall
      • Sun and UV safety
      • Concussions
    • Mental well-being
      Toggle Section Mental well-being Menu
      • Children and youth mental health
      • Eating disorders and disordered eating
      • Improving your mental health
      • Mental health services
      • Pregnancy and postpartum mental health
    • Parenting
      Toggle Section Parenting Menu
      • Babies and toddlers
      • School aged children
      • Parenting programs and services
    • Physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep
      Toggle Section Physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep Menu
      • Physical activity
        Toggle Section Physical activity Menu
        • Move daily, live fully
        • Physical activity for babies and toddlers
        • Physical activity for school aged children
        • Physical activity for adults
        • Active transportation
        • Walking to Wellness
      • Sedentary behaviour
      • Sleep
        Toggle Section Sleep Menu
        • Sleep for babies and toddlers
        • Sleep for school aged children
        • Sleep for adults
    • Pregnancy
      Toggle Section Pregnancy Menu
      • Planning for a healthy pregnancy
      • Pregnancy and infant loss
      • Your health after pregnancy
    • Safe water
      Toggle Section Safe water Menu
      • Algae blooms
      • Beach water listings
      • Drinking water
        Toggle Section Drinking water Menu
        • Drinking water advisories
        • Municipal water
        • Private well water
        • Small drinking water systems
      • Water fluoridation
    • Sexual health
      Toggle Section Sexual health Menu
      • Condoms and safer sex supplies
      • Contraception
      • Mandatory Blood Testing Act
      • Sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections
      • Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis for HIV (PrEP)
    • Substance use health
      Toggle Section Substance use health Menu
      • Alcohol
      • Cannabis
      • Harm reduction
        Toggle Section Harm reduction Menu
        • Harm reduction supplies
        • Naloxone
        • Needle safety
        • Public disclosure of CTS inspection results
      • Tobacco
      • Vaping
    • Violence

Contact Us

kfla Public Health footer logo

Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington Public Health works together with our communities to promote and protect the public's health. Our commitment is to provide public health programs and services of the highest quality.

  • View our Facebook Page
  • View our Twitter Page
  • View our Instagram Page
  • View our YouTube Page
  • View our LinkedIn Page
  • Health Topics
  • Organizations and Professionals
  • Clinics and Classes
  • About Us

Links:

  • Copyright
  • Disclaimer
  • Feedback
  • Ontario 211
  • Privacy and records
  • Sitemap
  • Terms of reference
  • Viral respiratory mapper
Scroll to top of page

© 2023 KFL&A Public Health

By GHD Digital

I Want To:

Report

  • Animal bite or scratch
  • Childcare discharges
  • Cold chain incident
  • Food-borne illness
  • Immunizations
  • Mandatory blood testing

Apply or register

  • Clinics and classes
  • Employment and volunteering
  • Open a food premise
  • Personal service settings
  • Parenting emails
  • Special events for organizers and vendors

Access

  • Dental programs
  • Inspection results and enforcement actions
  • Beach water listings
  • Well water testing
  • COVID-19 surveillance in KFL&A

Request

  • Condoms and safer sex supplies
  • Harm reduction supplies
  • Immunizations records
  • Personal health or general record
  • Property record request
  • Sexual health (STI) record
Close Old Browser Notification
Browser Compatibility Notification
It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.