Respiratory infections can be caused by different viruses and bacteria and can cause illness along the respiratory tract (e.g., nose, mouth, airways and lungs). They include viruses like influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and COVID-19, and bacteria like pertussis. Respiratory infections can cause illness beyond the respiratory system, and can make people very sick, especially those with weakened immune systems and seniors, infants and young children, and people who are pregnant. They can spread easily and their spread often follows seasonal patterns, with more people becoming sick with respiratory infections in the fall and winter.
Everyone has a role to play to reduce the spread of respiratory infections. The actions you take will protect you, loved ones and those most vulnerable in our community. The following guide provides strategies that can be used to reduce the spread of all respiratory illnesses.
To learn more about specific respiratory infections, see the following disease fact sheets:
Each year, cases of RSV and influenza rise during the fall. COVID-19 also increases in the fall, though it can surge at other times throughout the year as well. In Toronto, fall 2024 has also seen a notable rise in pertussis (whooping cough) cases, with infection rates significantly higher than the five-year average.
The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from respiratory infections each fall is to get vaccinated. Learn more about vaccines that are available for each of these respiratory infections:
Flu vaccines are usually available in October/November available for everyone 6 months of age and older. Get yours through a health care provider, pharmacist, or, for eligible people, at a TPH vaccination clinic.
For more information about flu vaccines, see the flu vaccine fact sheet.
RSV vaccines are available for people aged 60 or older and for infants. For more information about RSV vaccines, see the RSV fact sheet.
In fall 2023, Ontario introduced its first publicly-funded high-risk older adult RSV vaccine program.
Ontario will continue this program with expanded eligibility in 2024–25. This includes adults aged 60 years and older who are also:
For the 2024/2025 fall respiratory season, the Ministry of Health will expand the Ontario publicly funded infant RSV prevention program to include new products and increase eligibility.
Increased eligibility to Ontario infants and high-risk children that includes:
New Products to prevent RSV infections in infants and young children:
Any infant less than eight months old who also meets any of the following criteria:
Ask a health care provider about your child’s eligibility for RSV vaccination.
Pertussis vaccinations are routinely provided as part of Ontario’s Publicly Funded Routine Immunization Schedule. Doses include:
If you or your child missed a vaccine or are due for the next dose, these vaccines are available from your health care provider’s office. Students can book an appointment at a TPH clinic
There will be no COVID-19 vaccines in Canada beginning September 1, 2024. An updated COVID-19 vaccine is licensed by Health Canada and will become available in Fall 2024.
When updated COVID-19 vaccines are available, it is recommended that all individuals 6 months of age and older consider getting vaccinated, especially if they are at higher risk. See NACI guidance for further information and check back here or on our COVID-19 vaccines web page for updates.
We can layer our protection against respiratory infections with some simple steps, which can be used any time, but are especially recommended when there is a higher risk of getting and spreading respiratory infections.
Layers of protection include the following, and work better when used together. Further details about physical distancing, masking, and keeping public settings and high touch areas clean, can be found below:
Knowing if you are at higher risk of getting sick from a respiratory infection can help you make informed decisions about your health and when to use layers of protection.
Some people are at higher risk of getting very sick or being hospitalized with a respiratory infection, including:
Some settings and situations can put you at higher risk of getting and spreading respiratory infections, including:
More Information:
Respiratory illnesses are spread mainly from person-to-person through respiratory droplets that can travel up to two metres. Keeping a physical distance from others, where possible, is an extra measure that can be taken to reduce the risk of respiratory illnesses, especially for those at greater risk of serious illness.
Here are some ways to practice physical distancing:
Consider wearing a well-fitting, high-quality mask in crowded indoor public settings with poor ventilation, especially if you or people around you are at higher risk of getting very sick from a respiratory illness.
If you are sick or have symptoms of illness, it is recommended to wear a mask for 10 days after the start of symptoms.
Masking continues to be an important layer of protection to keep you, your loved ones, and the most vulnerable in our community safe. Wearing a mask, in addition to other public health measures, can reduce the spread of these viruses and is an important measure we can use to protect ourselves and one another.
Masks may still be expected or required in certain settings or situations, including:
Check with individual organizations to learn more about their specific policies.
Masks are recommended for anyone who:
Masks should not be worn by:
Some people who are deaf, deafened or hard of hearing may remove their mask, or may ask others to remove their mask, because they rely on facial movements and/or lip-reading to communicate. See the below tips for communicating with people who are deaf, deafened or hard of hearing:
Learn more about practicing good hand hygiene.
Common cleaners, such as soap and bleach, are effective against respiratory viruses. If using alcohol-based cleaners such as hand sanitizer, make sure it is at least 70 per cent alcohol. Always follow the product instructions.
High-touch surfaces may include, but are not limited to:
If surfaces are visibly dirty:
You can choose a product that cleans and disinfects. Read the label to find a product that does both.
Use disinfectant wipes that are appropriate for electronics.
Soft surfaces may include, but are not limited to:
If soft surfaces are dirty:
It is safe to wash laundry from a person who is sick with other items.
Caution: Always check the expiry date, read the label and follow product instructions. Use a product approved in Canada (look for a DIN number). Household bleach may not have a DIN, but is an effective disinfectant. Do not mix chemicals. Wear protective gloves/eyewear and open windows for good ventilation. Never use products on your skin or food, as this can cause serious harm. Store chemicals out of reach from children and pets.
Respiratory infections are spread by:
If you are sick, you should take the following measures. Details for how to do so are provided below.
If you have symptoms of a respiratory virus, it is recommended that you stay
home (self-isolate) while you are sick, whether you have tested or not.
This means:
If you tested positive for a respiratory virus, but do not have any symptoms and do not have a weakened immune system, you are not required to self-isolate, but it is recommended that you wear a well-fitted, high quality mask when in public settings, especially if they are crowded or have poor ventilation. Individuals with a weak immune system should isolate for at least 10 days (from symptom onset or positive test date) regardless if you have symptoms of COVID-19. Everyone should monitor for symptoms and self-isolate if symptoms develop.
If you live in a high-risk setting, like a long-term care home, retirement home, hospice, correctional institution, or shelter, you must self-isolate for at least 5 to10 days after your positive test for a respiratory virus or symptom onset date.
If you work/volunteer/attend a high-risk setting you can return to work after 10 days. Speak to your employer and follow workplace instructions for your return to work.
If you are diagnosed with pertussis or are suspected of having it you should stay home from childcare, school, or work. You should not participate in group activities, have visitors, and should avoid contact with babies, young children, and people who are pregnant until five days of antibiotic treatment have been completed or 21 days after the start of symptoms.
Tests to show you have recovered are not required for ending self-isolation.
Toronto Public Health is no longer ordering or distributing rapid antigen test kits for COVID-19. Residents continue to have access to these tests at a number of pharmacies across Toronto, and high-risk individuals will be provided kits through the Ministry of Health through existing channels.
Tests for flu, RSV, and pertussis are available through health care providers.
Seek medical care if your symptoms feel worse than a common cold by calling your health care provider or by calling Health811.
If you are pregnant and have symptoms of COVID-19 or have tested positive, speak to your healthcare provider as soon as possible to find out if you are eligible for treatment.
If you have ANY of the following signs of severe illness, you should seek immediate medical attention:
The following infants and children should also be assessed in the emergency department:
If you do not feel well enough to take personal transport, call 911. Before going for in-person medical care, tell them that you likely have a respiratory infection.
To stop the spread of respiratory illnesses, it is important that you notify your close contacts if you get sick, so that they can self-monitor for symptoms and self-isolate if symptoms develop, especially if they are at higher risk of getting very sick.
A close contact is anyone who you spent time with when you were infectious:
This may include anyone you live with, had multiple close encounters with within a 24-hour period, especially close physical contact, or anyone who was within 2 metres of you for 15 minutes or more, without a well-fitted, high quality mask.
Respiratory illnesses can spread more easily when people gather indoors together. There are a number of things you can do to improve indoor air quality to help reduce the spread.
For information in French about respiratory viruses, please visit the Government of Ontario’s website and Public Health Ontario portal