OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS

Respiratory Virus Prevention

Respiratory viruses, like influenza (flu), COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), circulate year-round in the U.S. and California—and are typically more active in fall and winter. This period of time is referred to as “cold and flu season” or “virus season.”

CDPH encourages people to take simple actions to lower their chances of getting and spreading respiratory viruses. These precautions are especially important for people at higher risk of severe illness.

Stay Up to Date on Vaccines. Vaccines are the best defense against severe illness and death—and you can get all at the same time. Visit MyTurn to schedule your flu and COVID-19 vaccines or contact your health care provider.

Flu and COVID-19 vaccines are available for everyone 6 months and older. Be sure to stay up to date on both vaccines, as they are updated to protect against new variants. Anyone 65 years or older should also receive an additional dose of the 2023–24 COVID-19 vaccine if it’s been 4 months since their last dose.
RSV immunizations are now available for infants and young children, pregnant people and adults 60 years and older. Learn more about RSV immunizations.

Stay Home if You’re Sick: Staying home when you’re sick slows the spread of flu, COVID-19, RSV and even the common cold.
Test and Treat: Test for COVID-19 and flu if you have symptoms. If you test positive, contact your health care provider and ask about prescription treatments. Act fast, most of these medications must be taken within the first 5 days of symptoms. Learn more about COVID-19 treatments.
Consider Wearing a Mask: Wearing a mask can slow the spread of respiratory viruses. If you or your family member are at high risk for severe illness, consider wearing a mask, especially in public indoor or crowded spaces. For more information, visit When and Why to Wear a Mask.
Wash Your Hands: Frequent handwashing, with soap and warm water—for at least 20 seconds—is an easy and effective way to stay healthy and slow the spread of germs. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Cover Your Cough or Sneeze: Cough or sneeze into your elbow, arm, or a disposable tissue. Make sure to throw away your tissue then wash or sanitize your hands.

Learn more about respiratory virus prevention.

Additional Resources:

Respiratory Virus Prevention

Communications toolkits

Fact sheet: Immunizations for Fall & Winter 2023/24 (PDF) – English, Spanish
Protect yourself from COVID-19, Flu and RSV (CDC)
Wild to Mild flu vaccine campaign (CDC)
Respiratory Virus Resources for People with Disabilities (CDC)

CDPH Material Co-brand Disclaimer
Local health jurisdictions (LHJs) and community-based organizations (CBOs) may co-brand materials created by CDPH (those in CDPH Office of Communications Toolkits) by adding their agency logo next to or near the CDPH logo. Be sure there is ample space between the two logos. Materials may not be altered or edited in any other way, including removal or adjustment of the CDPH logo.

Videos

California State Epidemiologist Dr. Erica Pan Shares Tips for Staying Healthy this Fall & Winter

Don't Let COVID-19 and Flu get you: College Student Edition

Fact Sheet

6 Tips for Staying Healthy this Virus Season (PDF)
English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Farsi Hmong, Khmer, Korean, Punjabi, Swahili, Tagalog and Vietnamese.

Infographic: SMARTER Steps Protective Layers

Social Media

Share the following images and messages on social media. Click on each image to enlarge, then right click and “save as.”

General Respiratory Virus Prevention

	Suggested Messaging: Respiratory viruses like flu, COVID-19 and RSV spread more easily in the fall and winter. Avoid getting sick this cold and flu season. Do your part to keep yourself and your community healthy. Visit MyTurn.ca.gov to schedule your vaccines. Learn more about respiratory virus protection: go.cdph.ca.gov/respiratory-viruses #SlowTheSpread.
	Suggested Messaging: Protect your family from catching respiratory viruses like flu, COVID-19 and RSV by following these top 6 tips: Stay up to date on your flu, COVID-19 & RSV vaccines. Stay home and test if you’re sick. Seek prescription treatments from a health care provider if you test positive for flu or COVID-19. Consider wearing a mask in crowded indoor spaces. Wash your hands frequently. Cover your coughs and sneezes. Visit MyTurn.ca.gov to schedule your vaccines. Learn more about respiratory virus protection: go.cdph.ca.gov/respiratory-viruses #SlowTheSpread.
	Suggested Messaging: Don’t let flu, COVID-19 and RSV slow you down. Stay up to date on vaccines. Stay home and test if you’re sick. Seek prescription treatments if you test positive for flu or COVID-19. Consider masking indoors. Wash your hands and cover your cough. Visit MyTurn.ca.gov to schedule your vaccines. Learn more about respiratory virus protection: go.cdph.ca.gov/respiratory-viruses #SlowTheSpread.
	Suggested Messaging: Don’t be this guy. Don’t let flu, COVID-19 and RSV happen to you! Stay up to date on vaccines. Stay home and test if you’re sick. Seek prescription treatments if you test positive for flu or COVID-19. Consider masking indoors. Wash your hands and cover your cough. Visit MyTurn.ca.gov to schedule your vaccines. Learn more about respiratory virus protection: go.cdph.ca.gov/respiratory-viruses #SlowTheSpread.
	Suggested Messaging: Certain people are at higher risk of getting very sick from respiratory infections, especially flu, COVID-19 and RSV. These include: Older adults Young children People who are pregnant People with weaker immune systems People with certain disabilities or underlying health conditions Protect your community by taking extra precautions, like wearing a mask, around those at higher risk. Make sure you also know how to seek free prescription medications that treat COVID-19 and flu. Visit MyTurn.ca.gov to schedule your vaccines. Learn more about respiratory virus protection: go.cdph.ca.gov/respiratory-viruses #SlowTheSpread.

Stay Home if You’re Sick, and Test

Feeling sick? Stay home and call a health care provider

Congestion or Runny Nose? Stay home & test

New loss of taste or smell? Stay home & test

Suggested Messaging:
Cold and flu season is here. Help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses (like COVID-19, the flu, and RSV) by staying home and testing for COVID-19 and flu if you have symptoms. If you test positive, contact your health care provider right away and ask about prescription treatments. Act fast, most of these medications must be taken within the first 5 days of symptoms. Learn more: https://covid19.ca.gov/get-tested. #SlowTheSpread

Cover Your Cough or Sneeze

Suggested Messaging:
Cough or sneeze into your elbow, your arm, or a disposable tissue to help prevent the spread of viruses. Be sure to wash or sanitize hands and dispose of your tissue after. Get prevention tips: go.cdph.ca.gov/respiratory-viruses #SlowTheSpread.

Wash Your Hands

Suggested Messaging:
Frequent handwashing, with soap and warm water—for at least 20 seconds — is an easy and great way to prevent getting sick and spreading germs. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol.Get prevention tips: go.cdph.ca.gov/respiratory-viruses #SlowTheSpread.

Consider Masking

Consider masking in indoor public places

Suggested Messaging:
Wearing a high-quality mask, like an N95, KN95, or KF94, protects you from respiratory viruses like flu, COVID-19, and RSV. Consider wearing a mask in indoor public places, especially if you are or around people at higher risk for severe disease. Learn more about masking:
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Respiratory-Viruses/When-and-Why-to-Wear-a-Mask.aspx #SlowTheSpread.

Suggested Messaging:
Wearing a mask in indoor public places helps prevent spreading respiratory viruses like flu, COVID-19, and RSV. Masks can also offer protection from dangers like wildfire smoke and Valley fever. Choose a high-quality mask, like an N95, KN95, or KF94. Learn more about masking: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Respiratory-Viruses/When-and-Why-to-Wear-a-Mask.aspx.

Improve Indoor Air Quality

	Suggested messaging: Reduce respiratory viruses indoors by opening windows and doors when possible, using fans to bring fresh air inside, keeping heating and air systems on, or using portable air filters. Learn more about reducing virus risk indoors: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/Indoor-Air-Quality-Ventilation-Tips.aspx #SlowTheSpread.
	Suggested messaging: Open windows and doors to allow fresh air inside and prevent viruses from building up. Learn more about reducing virus risk indoors: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/Indoor-Air-Quality-Ventilation-Tips.aspx #SlowTheSpread.
	Suggested messaging: Reduce respiratory viruses (like COVID-19, flu, and RSV) by replacing dirty air filters in your heating and air system. Learn more about reducing virus risk indoors: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/Indoor-Air-Quality-Ventilation-Tips.aspx #SlowTheSpread.

Reduce Your Risk While Traveling

Traveling? Reduce your respiratory virus risk

Suggested messaging:
Going on a trip? Reduce your risk of catching respiratory viruses like COVID-19, flu, and RSV. Be sure you’re up to date on your COVID-19 and flu vaccines, consider wearing a mask in crowded indoor spaces like airports and planes, and wash your hands frequently. Don’t travel, and stay away from others, if you’re sick.

Visit MyTurn.ca.gov to schedule your vaccine. Learn more about respiratory virus prevention: go.cdph.ca.gov/respiratory-viruses #SlowTheSpread.

SMARTER Steps for Preventing Respiratory Viruses

Suggested Messaging:
The SMARTER Steps show the many ways you can protect yourself and others from respiratory viruses. No single layer of protection is perfect, and each measure has holes—like Swiss cheese. The more SMARTER steps you take, the safer you are against respiratory viruses!
Learn more about the SMARTER Steps you can take: go.cdph.ca.gov/respiratory-viruses.