Los Angeles County Public Health Guidelines for Respiratory Viruses
COVID-19, flu, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are common respiratory diseases with cold-like symptoms. They usually spread in the fall and winter, although you can get sick with a respiratory virus any time of year. Most people will recover on their own without complications, but some people are at higher risk of getting very sick. For more information, visit the LA County Public Health website.
Everyone can take steps to stay healthy and help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses. Anyone sick with a respiratory illness should take extra precautions while sick and for 5 days after symptoms improve. People who experience difficulty breathing or symptoms that worsen should seek immediate medical care.
IMMUNIZATIONS:
Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent severe illness. For the most current information on vaccination, visit the LA County program pages for Influenza, RSV, and COVID-19.
HOW TO STAY HEALTHY:
There are certain places where respiratory viruses spread more easily:
Closed spaces with poor air flow
Crowded places, especially where people nearby are talking, singing, coughing, shouting, sneezing, or breathing heavily
To protect yourself and others from respiratory illness:
Stay current on your respiratory virus immunizations to reduce your risk of severe illness.
Take steps for cleaner air. Open windows and doors, use fans and portable air cleaners, run heating and air to keep air circulating, and upgrade filters. When possible, choose outdoor spaces for group activities. For more information, visit the CDC's webpage Improving Ventilation in Your Home.
Practice good everyday hygiene, like washing your hands and covering your coughs and sneezes. Washing your hands is one of the best ways to avoid getting sick and spreading germs that cause respiratory illnesses and diarrhea.
Consider wearing a mask that fits and filters well, especially in crowded indoor settings, during the winter respiratory season, or if you or a loved one is at risk for severe disease.
Stay home when you're sick and away from others until you have been fever-free without the use of fever-reducing medication for 24 hours, and other symptoms are improving.
If you think you might be sick, take extra precautions to prevent spreading illness. Continue taking extra precautions for at least 5 days after you recover.