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    A woman smiles as a nurse checks her arm after receiving a vaccine shot.

    Tips to Stay Healthy This Cold and Flu Season

    Flu season is typically associated with fall and winter. In fact, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show December, January, and February are the peak flu months. Respiratory viruses like the flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can cause cold or flu-like symptoms, including cough, headache, body aches, and fever.

    Older adults, especially people with chronic medical conditions or weakened immune systems, can experience greater impacts from respiratory illnesses. There are steps you can take to help protect yourself and others. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) recommends several ways to lower your chances of catching and spreading respiratory viruses.

    • Stay up to date on vaccines: Vaccines are the best way to protect against serious illness, including hospitalization and death. The best time to get vaccinated is before viruses start to spread widely in the fall and winter.
    • Wash your hands: Wash hands throughout the day with soap and clean, running water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
    • Cover your cough or sneeze: Cough or sneeze into your elbow, arm, or a disposable tissue. Make sure to throw away your tissue, then wash or sanitize your hands.
    • Stay home if you're sick: Staying home when you’re sick slows the spread of flu, COVID-19, RSV and even the common cold.
    • Test and treat: If you have symptoms, consider testing for COVID-19 and ask your health care provider whether flu testing is appropriate. If you test positive and are at higher risk for severe disease, contact your health care provider and ask about treatment. Treatments work best when started right after symptoms begin.
    • Consider wearing a mask: Consider wearing a high-quality mask or respirator (N95, KN95, KF94) especially if you're sick and in crowded or indoor areas. For more information, read When and Why to Wear a Mask.

    Ventilation is also a powerful tool to help reduce the spread of viruses. CDPH recommends:

    • Ventilating indoor spaces: If it’s safe to do so, open doors and windows as much as possible to bring in fresh outdoor air. This can help keep virus particles from building up indoors.
    • Maintaining your HVAC system: Perform all routine maintenance on your system and replace air filters when recommended.
    • Using portable air cleaning devices: Devices that circulate the air through high-quality HEPA filters remove infectious particles by filtering them out of the air.

    WHERE CAN YOU GET SHOTS?

    Check with your doctor or pharmacy or visit MyTurn.ca.gov for vaccines at no cost to most people with private or public insurance. If you don’t have insurance, contact your local health department or community health center to ask about free or low-cost vaccination options. Visit vaccines.gov to find a location near you.

    These simple tips can help keep you and your family healthy during respiratory virus season this fall and winter.