COVID-19
Each year, respiratory viruses are responsible for millions of illnesses and thousands of hospitalizations and deaths in the United States. In addition to the virus that causes COVID-19, there are many other types of respiratory viruses, including flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The good news is there are actions you can take to help protect yourself and others from health risks caused by respiratory viruses.
The CDC has updated recommendations for how people can protect themselves and their communities from respiratory viruses, including COVID-19. The guidance now brings a unified approach to addressing risks from a range of common respiratory illnesses, such as COVID-19, the flu, and RSV. The updated recommendations are due to far fewer hospitalizations and deaths associated with COVID-19 and because there are more tools than ever to combat these respiratory viruses. While COVID-19 still remains a threat, it is far less likely to cause severe illness because of widespread immunity and improved tools to prevent and treat the disease. While every respiratory virus does not act the same, adopting a unified approach to disease spread makes recommendations easier to follow and more likely to be followed.
As part of the guidance, core prevention steps and strategies are recommended:
- Staying up to date with vaccination to protect people against serious illness, hospitalization, and death. This includes flu, COVID-19, and RSV if eligible.
- Practicing good hygiene by covering coughs and sneezes, washing or sanitizing hands often, and cleaning frequently touched surfaces.
- Taking steps for cleaner air, such as bringing in more fresh outside air, purifying indoor air, or gathering outdoors.
What to do if you test positive for COVID-19
When people get sick with a respiratory virus, it is recommended to stay home and away from others. For people with COVID-19 and influenza, treatment is available and can lessen symptoms and lower the risk of severe illness. The recommendations suggest returning to normal activities when symptoms are improving overall and, if a fever was present, it has been gone without use of a fever-reducing medication for at least 24 hours.
Once people resume normal activities, they are encouraged to take additional prevention strategies for the next 5 days to curb disease spread. Enhanced precautions are especially important to protect those most at risk for severe illness, including those over 65 and people with weakened immune systems.
CDC’s Respiratory Virus Guidance
This guidance provides practical recommendations and information to help people lower risk from a range of common respiratory viral illnesses, including COVID-19, flu, and RSV.
Covid Test Expiration Dates and Extensions
Check your At-Home Test Kit expiration date!
The shelf-life is how long the test should work as expected and is measured from the date the test was manufactured. The expiration date is set at the end of the shelf-life. In some cases, the expiration date for a test may be extended. To see if the expiration date for your at-home OTC COVID-19 test has been extended, use the expiration date lookup tool found here.
Resources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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