Respiratory Illnesses

• Respiratory vaccines help reduce your risk of serious illness, hospitalization, and death from respiratory infections such as influenza (flu), COVID-19, and RSV.
• Older adults, young children, pregnant persons, and people with certain health conditions are at a higher risk of severe illness from respiratory infections. It is important that they and others who spend time with them get vaccinated. Please see our eligibility table to see which vaccines you may be able to receive.
• Vaccinations can help prevent infections, reduce the severity of symptoms if you do become ill, and lower the risk of complications.
• Respiratory illnesses can worsen existing health conditions, including heart and lung disease, and can increase risk of heart attacks
• Respiratory vaccines cannot cause the illnesses they are designed to protect against (i.e. you cannot get the flu from getting the influenza vaccine). 

Yes. You can get other vaccines, including COVID-19, RSV or flu vaccine at the same time.

Colds, Flu, RSV, and COVID-19 are caused by different viruses. Colds can be caused by a variety of viruses and  are often milder than the flu, RSV, or COVID-19. 

Symptoms can vary from person to person ranging from mild to severe. Some people with COVID-19 do not have any symptoms, but they can still spread the infection to others.

If you feel sick, even with mild symptoms, stay home from school, work and other activities. Contact your healthcare provider to talk about your symptoms as needed.

If you do not have a family doctor and are looking for one in the Hamilton area, please visit needadoc.ca or call the Hamilton Family Health Team at 365-317-8117.

Go to an emergency department if you have:

• trouble breathing 
• lips that look white or blue
• wheezing
• extreme sleepiness or difficulty waking up
• prolonged or very high fever
• repeated vomiting and unable to keep any fluids down
• diarrhea containing a large amount of blood
• signs of dehydration with dry mouth or no urination

More information about when to go to an emergency room and urgent care in Hamilton including wait times is available at: www.hamiltonemergencywaittimes.ca.

If you need emergency medical attention, call 9-1-1 right away.

• stay up to date with your vaccinations
• stay home when you are sick
• cover your mouth when coughing/sneezing
• wash your hands often
• clean high touch surfaces and items
• wear tight-fitting, well-constructed masks
• spend time outdoors or in well-ventilated indoor spaces 

Visit:

•  Protect Yourself and Others
• How to Protect Yourself and Others from Respiratory Viruses