Recognizing the Symptoms
Influenza, RSV, and COVID-19 share many of the same symptoms, making it difficult to distinguish between them without testing.
Common symptoms include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Sore throat
- Chills
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
Additional symptoms may include:
- COVID-19: New loss of taste or smell, although less common with current variants.
- RSV: Wheezing, particularly in young children, older adults, and those with chronic lung disease.
Because influenza and COVID-19 often present similarly, testing remains the best way to determine which virus is causing illness.
How Respiratory Viruses Spread
Respiratory viruses spread through droplets and respiratory secretions released when an infected person coughs, sneezes, talks, or breathes. COVID-19 can also spread through smaller airborne particles that remain suspended in the air, especially in poorly ventilated spaces.
Influenza and RSV may also spread when a person touches contaminated surfaces and then touches their eyes, nose, or mouth.
Preventing the Spread
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends several strategies to reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses.
Stay Up to Date on Vaccinations
Vaccination remains the most effective way to reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and complications from influenza, COVID-19, and RSV for eligible individuals.
Practice Good Hand Hygiene
Hand hygiene continues to be one of the most effective infection prevention measures.
- Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds when visibly soiled.
- Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when hands are not visibly dirty.
Proper hand hygiene helps prevent the transmission of infectious organisms to patients, coworkers, and visitors.
Implement Source Control
Healthcare facilities should follow CDC recommendations and facility policies regarding masking during periods of increased respiratory illness activity.
Additional measures include:
- Posting signs encouraging patients with respiratory symptoms to notify staff.
- Including respiratory illness instructions in appointment reminders.
- Encouraging symptomatic patients to wear a mask.
- Rescheduling non-urgent appointments for patients with suspected or confirmed contagious respiratory illnesses when appropriate.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Appropriate PPE should be readily available and selected based on the anticipated exposure risk. Employers are responsible for providing and maintaining PPE.
Common PPE includes:
- Gloves
- Gowns
- Surgical masks
- Eye protection
- N95 respirators
N95 respirators should be available for aerosol-generating procedures.
Medical Procedures:
- Intubation
- Bronchoscopy
- CPR
- Sputum induction
Dental Procedures:
- Ultrasonic scaling
- High-speed handpieces
- Air polishing
- Air/water syringes
- Air abrasion
Return-to-Work Guidance
Healthcare personnel with respiratory illnesses should follow current CDC recommendations and employer policies before returning to work.
Employees should:
- Stay home while experiencing a fever.
- Return to work only after being fever-free for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing medication and when symptoms are improving.
- Follow any additional workplace infection prevention precautions, including masking if required by facility policy.
Encouraging employees to stay home when ill helps reduce workplace transmission and protects vulnerable patients.
Protecting Your Healthcare Facility
Respiratory viruses circulate every year, but consistent infection prevention practices significantly reduce their spread. Vaccination, hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, appropriate PPE, and staying home when sick all work together to create a safer environment for patients, visitors, and healthcare personnel.
Key Takeaways
- Stay current on recommended vaccinations.
- Perform proper hand hygiene every time.
- Encourage respiratory etiquette and source control when appropriate.
- Wear the correct PPE for each patient encounter.
- Use an N95 respirator during aerosol-generating procedures when indicated.
- Follow current CDC guidance and your facility’s infection prevention policies.
Call to Action
Respiratory illness season is an excellent time to review your infection prevention program. Ensure your policies, staff training, PPE supplies, respiratory hygiene practices, and patient screening procedures reflect current CDC recommendations.
Need help evaluating your infection prevention program? Our team can assess your current practices, identify opportunities for improvement, and provide practical guidance to help create a safer environment for your patients and staff. Contact us today to learn how we can support your infection prevention efforts.