Respiratory Illness Season

The months from October to May are considered respiratory illness season. We normally see an increase in cases of flu, COVID-19, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) during this time due to:

• Cold weather bringing people inside, which leads to lower ventilation rates
• Kids being out of school and mingling with friends and family
• Family gatherings bringing people together from different areas and abroad

All three respiratory illnesses have similar symptoms such as fever, runny nose, sore throat, fatigue, etc. The easiest way to determine what is causing the illness is to test – make sure to have at-home COVID-19 tests or visit your local clinic to receive further testing.

This year, there are vaccines available for all three respiratory illnesses. Visit your local clinic to determine your eligibility.

How do I prevent from getting sick?

There are steps that each of us can take to keep friends, family, and loved ones safe from respiratory illness:

• Practice proper hand hygiene. Make sure to wash your hands for 20 seconds and scrub between the backs of your hands, palms, under fingernails, and in between fingers.
• Remember to cover coughs and sneezes, but make sure to still wash your hands afterward.
• Make sure to stay home when you feel sick.
• Visit the Tulsa Health Department, your primary care physician, or a local clinic to get your vaccine(s).

Resources in Tulsa County

There are many resources available to Tulsa County residents. Make sure to view the below links for further information:

• At-Home COVID-19 Testing Expiration Dates and Info
• Visit Vaccines.gov to find a vaccine location near you
• Visit Covidtests.gov to order COVID-19 tests at no cost
• Read our Epidemiology Newsletter and subscribe for further updates and resources