Every year, respiratory viruses lead to millions of illnesses, thousands of hospitalizations, and deaths across the United States. In addition to the virus that causes COVID-19, other common respiratory viruses include the 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.
Prevention Strategies
These are important steps you can take to protect yourself and others:
- Stay up to date with immunizations - Immunizations are available for all three major fall and winter respiratory diseases - Flu, COVID-19, and RSV (for group’s eligible for RSV immunizations). Seasonal clinics are available locally to protect you and your loved ones.
- Practice good hygiene - Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Throw tissues in trash and wash your hands frequently, use hand sanitizer when you can’t use soap and water. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as countertops, handrails, and doorknobs regularly.
- Take steps for cleaner air - This can mean bringing in fresh outside air, purifying indoor air, or gathering outdoors. Virus particles do not build up in the air outdoors as much as they do indoors.
- When you may have a respiratory virus - Use precautions to prevent spread, stay home if you are sick, good hygiene, mask around others, and physically distance.
- Seek health care promptly for testing and/or treatment if you have risk factors for severe illness; treatment may help lower your risk of severe illness.
View the Oswego County Department of Health dashboard to learn about respiratory illnesses circulating in the county. This site will also provide information about vaccine clinics.
Protecting Our Patients
Patients coming into the Hospital with any of the following symptoms must wear a mask. Masks, tissues, and hand sanitizer are provided in kiosks at all entrances of our facilities.
Symptoms include:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Fatigue (tiredness)
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Decrease in appetite
- Sore throat
- Vomiting
- New loss of taste or smell
- Headache, muscle or body aches
- Diarrhea
- Weakness
Visitation:
Anyone with the above symptoms must wear a mask.
Anyone with a confirmed respiratory viral infection COVID-19 or Influenza should defer non-urgent, in-person visitation until:
- COVID-19 – until they have met the healthcare criteria to end isolation. (10 days from onset of symptoms or positive test if without symptoms)
- Influenza (Flu) - Your symptoms are improving, and you haven’t had a fever for at least 24 hours without the aid of fever-reducing medication
If you are positive for a respiratory illness and it is an urgent visit, please notify the nursing unit you need to visit. They will make arrangements and provide instructions for you to visit your loved one safely.