Respiratory illnesses are infections that affect the parts of the body we use to breathe, such as the nose, throat, and lungs. Common examples include COVID-19, influenza (the flu), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
These illnesses spread easily through coughs, sneezes, and close contact, and they are most common in the fall and winter. Most people have mild symptoms, but some illnesses can be serious, especially for babies, older adults, pregnant people, and people with health conditions.
Use the pages in this section to learn about respiratory illness outbreaks, find Fall Respiratory Illness vaccine clinics, and see how we track respiratory illness in our community through surveillance.