MSAD #70 Hodgdon Respiratory Virus Guidance
(Includes COVID, Flu, & RSV Information)
(updated 05/2024)
Respiratory Virus Guidance
Information on this page is taken directly from the CDC website:
https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/prevention/precautions-when-sick.html
What to know
- Each year, respiratory viruses are responsible for millions of illnesses and thousands of hospitalizations and deaths in the United States. In addition to the virus that causes COVID-19, there are many other types of respiratory viruses, including flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The good news is there are actions you can take to help protect yourself and others from health risks caused by respiratory viruses.
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CDC's respiratory virus guidance consists of 5 core and 3 additional prevention strategies.
CDC’s Respiratory Virus Guidance
- This guidance provides practical recommendations and information to help people lower risk from a range of common respiratory viral illnesses, including COVID-19, flu, and RSV.
What to know
- Immunizations are a core prevention strategy to lower risk from respiratory viruses.
- Core prevention strategies are important steps you can take to protect yourself and others from respiratory viruses.
What to know
- Hygiene (practices that improve cleanliness) is a core prevention strategy to lower risk from respiratory viruses.
- Core prevention strategies are important steps you can take to protect yourself and others from respiratory viruses.
What to know
- Taking steps for cleaner air is a core prevention strategy to lower risk from respiratory viruses.
- Core prevention strategies are important steps you can take to protect yourself and others from respiratory viruses.
What to know
- Taking steps to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses when you are sick is a core prevention strategy to lower risk from respiratory viruses.
- Core prevention strategies are important steps you can take to protect yourself and others from respiratory viruses.
What to know
- Wearing a mask is an additional prevention strategy that you can choose to further protect yourself and others.
What to know
- Additional prevention steps and strategies can be layered on to further protect yourself and others
What to know
- Testing is an additional prevention strategy that you can choose to assist in making decisions to further protect yourself and others.
Preventing Spread of Respiratory Viruses When You're Sick
What to know
- Taking steps to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses when you are sick is a core prevention strategy to lower risk from respiratory viruses.
- Core prevention strategies are important steps you can take to protect yourself and others from respiratory viruses.
Recommendation:
When you may have a respiratory virus...
Stay home and away from others (including people you live with who are not sick) if you have respiratory virus symptoms that aren't better explained by another cause. These symptoms can include fever, chills, fatigue, cough, runny nose, and headache, among others.
Return to activities when:
- You can go back to your normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, both are true:
- Your symptoms are getting better overall, and
- You have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).
- If you develop a fever or you start to feel worse after you have gone back to normal activities, stay home and away from others again until, for at least 24 hours, both are true: your symptoms are improving overall, and you have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication). Then take added precaution for the next 5 days.
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Steps you can take:
Individuals can
- Consider using additional prevention tools, such as taking steps for cleaner air, being diligent about hygiene, and using masks when you're sick.
- Monitor your symptoms. If you have an emergency warning sign (like trouble breathing or chest pain), seek emergency medical care immediately.
*Symptoms may include but are not limited to chest discomfort, chills, cough, decrease in appetite, diarrhea, fatigue (tiredness), fever or feeling feverish, headache, muscle or body aches, new loss of taste or smell, runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, vomiting, weakness, wheezing.
MSAD 70 asks that you follow the recommendations from the CDC. Thank you.