OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS

Respiratory Virus Prevention

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

People can 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 way to protect against serious illness, including hospitalization and death. You can get flu, COVID-19, and RSV immunizations at the same time. Contact a health care provider or schedule your vaccine appointments at MyTurn.ca.gov. The best time to get immunized is before viruses start to spread widely in the fall and winter. Vaccines are covered for people with Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance plans. Those having difficulty obtaining vaccines can contact their local health department for help finding a place to get vaccinated.

Flu and COVID-19 vaccines are available for everyone 6 months and older.
RSV immunizations are available for:

Infants younger than 8 months
High-risk infants/toddlers 8 through 19 months
People who are 32-36 weeks pregnant
All adults 75 and older
Some high-risk adults 60 -74 years old

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 (like fever, cold, cough, sore throat, or loss of taste or smell). If you test positive and are at higher risk for severe disease, contact your health care provider and ask about treatment. Treatments work best when started right after symptoms begin. Learn more about COVID-19 treatment. Learn more about flu treatments.
Consider wearing a mask: Consider wearing a high-quality mask (N95, KN95, KF94) especially if you're sick and in crowded or indoor areas. For more information, visit When and Why to Wear a Mask.
Wash your hands: Wash hands throughout the day with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. 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.
Ventilate indoor spaces: Good ventilation helps reduce the spread of viruses. If it is safe to do so, open doors and windows as much as possible to bring in fresh outdoor air. This can help keep virus particles from building up indoors.

Additional Resources:

Respiratory Virus Prevention

Communications toolkits

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.

Fact Sheets

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.

Protect Yourself from Respiratory Viruses fact sheet

Protect Yourself from Respiratory Viruses (for Older Adults) (PDF)

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 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. Ventilate indoor spaces. 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. If you test positive for COVID-19 ask your doctor if you qualify for prescription treatments. Consider masking indoors. Wash your hands and cover your cough. Ventilate indoor spaces. 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. If you test positive for COVID-19 ask your doctor if you qualify for prescription treatments. Consider masking indoors. Wash your hands and cover your cough. Ventilate indoor spaces. 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 if you have symptoms. If you test positive, ask your health care provider about prescription treatments. Learn more: go.cdph.ca.gov/respiratory-viruses #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
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.

Open windows and doors to reduce respiratory viruses indoors

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.

Reduce respiratory viruses indoors replace old air filters

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.

Stay up to date on your COVID-19 and flu vaccines
Consider wearing a mask in crowded indoor spaces like airports and planes
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.