What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that can cause mild cold-like symptoms to severe lung infections. COVID-19 spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, and it can also be transmitted by touching contaminated surfaces.

Symptoms

Symptoms of COVID-19 can include: 

• sore throat 
• runny nose 
• sneezing 
• new or worsening cough 
• shortness of breath or difficulty breathing 
• temperature equal to or more than 38°C 
• feeling feverish 
• chills 
• fatigue or weakness 
• muscle or body aches 
• new loss of smell or taste 
• headache 
• abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting 
• feeling very unwell 

What to do if you have symptoms

If you have symptoms of COVID-19, even if they are mild, stay home to prevent spreading it to others.  

• Stay home until you have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and your symptoms are improving. If experiencing vomiting or diarrhea, remain home until symptoms have improved for 48 hours. 
• If staying home is not possible, wear a well-fitting mask and avoid non-essential activities that require mask removal for 10 days from symptom onset. 
• Avoid visiting individuals at higher risk of severe illness, including those in long-term care homes, retirement residences, or hospitals. 

If you or your child develop severe symptoms requiring medical attention, such as shortness of breath or chest pain, call 911 or go to the emergency department. 

Who is at higher risk of severe illness?

Certain individuals are at increased risk of severe illness or complications from COVID-19. This includes people who: 

• Are older adults 
• Are pregnant 
• Have not received all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses 
• Have certain chronic medical conditions, including:  
  • Moderate to severe asthma 
  • Dementia 
  • Diabetes 
  • Heart disease 
  • High blood pressure 
  • Kidney disease 
  • Liver disease 
  • Lung disease 
  • History of stroke 
• Are immunocompromised, including those who:  
  • Have an underlying condition such as cancer 
  • Take medications that suppress the immune system (e.g., chemotherapy) 
  • Have received a solid organ or blood stem cell transplant 
• Live with severe obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 40 or higher) 

For more information, visit: COVID-19: Who is at risk of more severe disease or outcomes – Canada.ca

Testing

For more information on who is eligible for publicly-funded testing and where to access testing, please visit Ontario’s:  COVID-19 testing and treatment.

Treatment

If you are concerned about your symptoms, consult a health care provider. They can recommend self-care measures or medications to help manage symptoms such as fever, cough, and pain. 

Antiviral treatment may be available for individuals at higher risk of severe illness or complications. For more information, visit Ontario’s Antiviral Treatment page. 

Most people can manage symptoms at home by: 

• Getting plenty of rest 
• Drinking fluids to stay hydrated 
• Using a humidifier to ease congestion and coughing 
• Taking over-the-counter acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fever and pain, as directed 

For children: Consult a health care provider before giving non-prescription cold medications. Do not give aspirin to children, and do not give ibuprofen to infants under six months of age unless advised by a health care provider.

COVID-19 Vaccines

Getting your annual COVID-19 vaccine is the best way to reduce your risk of serious illness. Learn more about COVID-19 vaccination at Ontario’s: COVID-19 Vaccines.  

For details on when and where to get a COVID-19 vaccine in Renfrew County and District, visit RCDHU’s: Fall Vaccine Clinics: Flu, COVID-19, RSV.

Additional Information

• Ontario: COVID-19 Health Advice
• Ontario: COVID-19 Vaccines
• RCDHU: Fall Vaccine Clinics: Flu, COVID-19, RSV

What is influenza (flu)?

Influenza is a sudden illness with fever and cough that happens when your respiratory system—your nose, throat and lungs—get infected with a virus called influenza virus.

Flu generally occurs in the fall and winter months. Young children (under 5) and older adults are at higher risk of severe disease and complications.

Symptoms

Flu symptoms appear one to four days after exposure to the virus. Symptoms usually include the sudden appearance of:

• fever
• cough
• muscle aches and pain

Other common symptoms may include:

• headache
• chills
• fatigue (tiredness)
• loss of appetite
• sore throat

Some people (especially children) may also have:

• diarrhea
• nausea and vomiting
• runny or stuffy nose

What to do if you have symptoms

If you have symptoms of the flu, even if they are mild, stay home to prevent spreading it to others.  

• Stay home until you have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and your symptoms are improving. If experiencing vomiting or diarrhea, remain home until symptoms have improved for 48 hours. 
• If staying home is not possible, wear a well-fitting mask and avoid non-essential activities that require mask removal for 10 days from symptom onset. 
• Avoid visiting individuals at higher risk of severe illness, including those in long-term care homes, retirement residences, or hospitals. 

If you or your child develop severe symptoms requiring medical attention, such as shortness of breath or chest pain, call 911 or go to the emergency department.

Vaccination

• Learn about Ontario’s Flu vaccination program at: The Flu. 
• For details on when and where to get a flu vaccine in Renfrew County and District, visit RCDHU’s: Fall Vaccine Clinics: Flu, COVID-19, RSV.

Additional Information

• Government of Canada: Influenza (Flu) Symptoms and Treatment
• Government of Canada: Reduce the spread of respiratory viruses
• CHEO Fact Sheet – What you need to know: Fevers

What is Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)?

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common virus that affects the lungs and airways. Most children contract RSV by age two, but the infection can be particularly severe in infants and older adults, sometimes leading to hospitalization. RSV is also the leading cause of bronchiolitis in young children.

Immunization can help protect against serious illness and complications associated with RSV.

Symptoms

Symptoms of RSV are similar to those of the cold or flu, including:

• coughing
• a runny nose
• fever
• wheezing
• a decrease in appetite and energy
• irritability in children

Because RSV symptoms are similar to those of other respiratory illnesses, including influenza (flu) and COVID-19, it can be difficult to distinguish between them. While most RSV infections resolve on their own within a few days, seek medical attention if you or your child experience difficulty breathing, signs of dehydration, or worsening symptoms.

Who is at higher risk of severe illness from RSV?

Certain groups are at increased risk of developing severe illness from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), including: 

• Infants, particularly: 
  • Premature infants and those younger than 6 months 
  • Infants who face barriers to timely healthcare access, such as remote locations or limited transportation 
  • Infants whose risk may be influenced by longstanding social and structural inequities, including those experienced by some First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities 
• Children with underlying medical conditions, such as: 
  • Chronic lung disease 
  • Congenital heart disease 
  • Neuromuscular conditions that impair the ability to clear mucus from the lungs 
• Older adults 
• Adults with chronic health conditions, including: 
  • Asthma 
  • Diabetes 
  • Heart disease 
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) 
• Individuals who are immunocompromised 
• Residents of long-term care or other chronic care facilities 

Although RSV often causes mild, cold-like symptoms, it can sometimes lead to severe lower respiratory tract infections that require hospitalization.

What to do if you have symptoms

If you have symptoms of RSV, even if they are mild, stay home to prevent spreading it to others.  

• Stay home until you have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and your symptoms are improving. If experiencing vomiting or diarrhea, remain home until symptoms have improved for 48 hours. 

• If staying home is not possible, wear a well-fitting mask and avoid non-essential activities that require mask removal for 10 days from symptom onset. 

If you or your child develop severe symptoms requiring medical attention, such as shortness of breath or chest pain, call 911 or go to the emergency department.

Vaccination

Find information about Ontario’s RSV prevention programs for older adults, infants and high-risk children, including vaccination in pregnancy by visiting Ontario’s: Respiratory Syncytial Virus.

Additional information

Children: 

• CHEO Fact Sheet – Bronchiolitis   
• Ontario – Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Fact Sheet Older Adult High Risk
• Ontario – Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

General:

• Ontario – Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) – Ontario 
• Health Canada – Reduce the spread of respiratory viruses 

What is the ‘common cold’?

The ‘common cold’ is caused by viruses (germs) that infect the nose, throat and sinuses. Colds are most common in the fall and winter when people are indoors and in close contact with each other. Once you have had a cold virus, you become immune to that specific germ.

Symptoms

Typical cold symptoms include:

• runny or stuffed-up nose
• sneezing
• coughing
• headache
• mild sore throat
• loss of appetite
• fatigue (being tired)
• mild fever

Most coughs, earaches, sinus congestion and sore throats get better at home without antibiotics. Most of the symptoms will improve in 7 to 10 days. A cough can last up to three weeks.

How to treat the common cold at home

Most people can manage symptoms at home by:

• Getting plenty of rest
• Drinking fluids to stay hydrated
• Using a humidifier to ease congestion and coughing
• Taking over-the-counter acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fever and pain, as directed

For children: Consult a health care provider before giving non-prescription cold medications. Do not give aspirin to children, and do not give ibuprofen to infants under six months of age unless advised by a health care provider.

For additional tips on how to treat a child’s cold at home, visit CHEO’s: Cough and Colds.

Additional information

• Caring for Kids: Colds in Children
• CHEO: Cough and Colds
• CHEO: What you need to know – Fevers
• SickKids: Colds (Viral upper respiratory infections)
• Government of Canada: Reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses

Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself from respiratory illnesses, but there are also additional steps you can take to help keep yourself and your community safe by reducing the spread of viruses. Combining these steps are an effective way of preventing illness and reducing your risk of illness. 

Protective measures include:

• Staying home when you are sick 
• Washing your hands often for at least 15 seconds or using hand sanitizer  
• Covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze 
• Avoiding touching your face 
• Regularly cleaning high touch surfaces as viruses can live for 24 to 48 hours on hard surfaces such as countertops, door handles, computer keyboards and phones 
• Wearing a tight-fitting, well-constructed mask in indoor public settings, especially if you are at higher risk of severe infection, or in settings that require masking 
• Optimizing indoor air quality by improving ventilation (for example, opening windows to allow fresh outdoor air into rooms) and air filtration can help maintain a healthy indoor environment 
• Paying attention to public health alerts and advice in your community and monitor local data at: Respiratory Illness Data Summary. 

Learn more at Ontario’s: Protection from respiratory illnesses.