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2024 Respiratory Season

Seasonal Respiratory Illness

It is that time of year where we begin to see rising numbers of common colds, COVID-19, seasonal influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases and other respiratory infections in our communities.

To reduce the risk of becoming ill and protect those closest to us it is important that everyone take steps to protect their health: .

  • If you are feeling unwell, stay home. Keep children home from school or child care when they are sick.
  • Avoid unnecessary visits to vulnerable friends and family, especially in hospitals, long-term care or retirement homes if you are ill.
  • Wear a mask in public settings for 10 days from the start  of your symptoms ( Note: masks are not recommended for children younger than 2 years old)

COVID-19 continues to circulate, and our greatest concern is for the most vulnerable in our communities; older adults, those with health concerns, and those living in congregate settings.

To protect yourself and others it is recommended that you get an updated COVID-19 vaccine this fall as soon as vaccine is available to you.   

Learn more about COVID-19.

The influenza or flu season typically runs from late fall to early spring. The flu is a contagious respiratory illness that is spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing. It is very difficult to tell the difference between the flu and other viral or bacterial illnesses based on the symptoms alone. Young children (under 5 years of age) and older adults are at higher risk of severe disease and complications.

To protect yourself and others it is recommended that you get the flu shot early and every year.  

Learn more about Influenza

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of lower respiratory illness affecting the lungs and airways, particularly among infants, young children and older adults. RSV often causes cold-like symptoms and is the most common cause of bronchiolitis, a chest infection that affects infants and toddlers. Individuals are most likely to catch RSV when the virus is most active. The RSV season in Canada is generally from November to April.

Ontario is continuing its high-risk older adult RSV vaccine program with eligibility in 2024/2025 for adults aged 60 years who live in long-term care homes, retirement homes and with some high-risk conditions. The RSV vaccine is also available to pregnant people at 32 to 36 weeks gestation.

Infants and children born in 2024 and young children entering their second RSV season with certain health conditions are also eligible for RSV immunization this season. Please speak with your health care provider if you have questions regarding eligibility.

Learn more about RSV.

There are simple, proven and effective steps you can take that help prevent viruses from spreading and when combined they lower the risk of illness impacting our schools, workplaces, and the health care system. These steps include:

• Avoid non-essential visits to friends and family in vulnerable settings like hospitals, long-term care or retirement homes if you are sick
• Getting vaccinated for influenza, COVID-19 and RSV (if eligible) as soon as it is available to you.
• Washing your hands often and regularly cleaning then disinfecting high-touch surfaces.
• Covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
• Consider wearing a tight-fitting medical mask in indoor public settings, especially if you are at higher risk of severe infection. 
• If sick, wear a mask in all public settings until 10 after your symptoms started (masks are not recommended for children younger than 2 years old).

Resources

How to Protect Yourself and Others from Respiratory Viruses - Public Health Ontario

You are encouraged to get your COVID-19, flu and RSV (if eligible) vaccine as soon as they are available to you. It is safe and convenient to receive the COVID-19, flu and RSV vaccine at the same time. 

Vaccinations for flu and COVID-19 is now starting to become available at pharmacies and from health care providers for those in the high risk for severe infection and will be available to everyone starting on Monday, October 28, 2024. Pharmacists can administer flu vaccine to children aged 2 years and older and COVID-19 vaccine to children 6 months and older.  

For children under 5 who are unable to find a local pharmacy that will give the vaccine to young children in their area and who do not have a primary care provider, health unit clinics are available by appointment.   

Publicly funded RSV vaccines are available through facilities, hospitals, and primary care providers to eligible individuals aged 60 years and older, including people living in long-term care homes, Elder Care Lodges, or retirement homes, people with certain medical conditions and other high-risk groups. 

It is important to get your updated fall respiratory vaccines for flu and COVID-19, and the RSV immunization as soon as they become available to you. All three vaccines are safe and effective and can be received at the same time.  

Learn more about the: 

COVID-19 vaccine

Flu vaccine

RSV vaccine 

The Weekly Respiratory Virus Update is an interactive dashboard updated weekly to provide an overview of circulating respiratory viruses. Starting from Sept. 1, 2024, the dashboard provides a summary of the most recent week’s influenza, COVID-19, and RSV activity, offering an overview of circulating respiratory viruses in Simcoe Muskoka and, when available, in Ontario.

Risk of infection and severe illness increases as community, personal and situational risk increases. As risks increase, taking more precautions will help to better protect yourself and others around you

If you have symptoms of respiratory illness and are at a higher risk of severe illness,  you should seek care as soon as possible as you may benefit from available treatments. These treatments must be taken immediately within the first five to seven days (depending on the treatment) of symptom onset. You can access antivirals through health care providers, nurse practitioners and pharmacists, with virtual care options available through Health 811 (dial 8-1-1) and the Regional Virtual Urgent Care Program. 

Although getting the flu or COVID-19 can make you ill, mild symptoms of these illnesses can be managed at home.

The following is a list of how to manage mild symptoms of respiratory illness at home:

  • Stay home and get plenty of rest.
  • Avoid close contact with infants, pregnant women, people over the age of 65, and those with chronic health issues (anyone in these groups can catch viruses easily).
  • Drink lots of fluids (avoid drinks with caffeine).
  • Avoid alcohol and tobacco.
  • Take basic pain or fever relievers but do not give acetylsalicylic acid (ASA or Aspirin®) to children or teenagers under the age of 18.
  • Treat muscle pain using a hot water bottle or heating pad (apply heat for short periods of time).
  • Take a warm bath.
  • Gargle with a glass of warm salt water or suck on hard candy or lozenges.
  • Use spray or saline drops for a stuffy nose.
  • Keep surfaces clean.
  • Sneeze or cough into a tissue or upper sleeve, not your hands.
  • Dispose of tissues immediately after use.
  • Clean your hands often.
• How to Protect Yourself and Others from Respiratory Viruses – Public Health Ontario
• COVID-19: What to do if someone is your home is sick – Government of Canada
• How to care for a child with COVID-19 at home: Advice for caregivers – Public Health Agency of Canada
• Health conditions and treatments – Caring for Kids Canadian Paediatric Society
• Fever and pain medication – Canadian Pharmacists Association
• Viral respiratory infection – Sick Kids- AboutKidsHealth 
• Respiratory infectious diseases: How to reduce the spread with personal protective measures – Government of Canada
• COVID-19 – Province of Ontario 

Virtual care options are available through Health 811 (dial 8-1-1) and the Regional Virtual Urgent Care Program. 
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