Common symptoms of respiratory illnesses include:
- fever
- cough
- runny or stuffy nose
- sore throat
- headache
- muscle and body aches
- shortness of breath
- fatigue
- vomiting and diarrhea
- abdominal pain
Cold, Cough and Flu
As temperatures drop and winter approaches, so does the risk of catching a variety of respiratory illnesses. From the common cold to more serious illnesses like bronchitis and pneumonia, it’s important to be aware of the risks and take steps to protect yourself and others.
Other illnesses that are more likely to occur in the winter months are influenza (flu), RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), and COVID-19.
Symptoms of Respiratory Illnesses
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms you should stay home until fever-free (without using fever-reducing medication) AND symptoms have been improving for 24 hours (48 hours for vomiting/diarrhea).
Use the General Self-Assessment Tool to screen yourself and your family.
Reduce the spread of illness:
- Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
- Wash your hands often (or use hand sanitizer) and avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Get immunized.
- Regularly cleaning high-touch surfaces.
For more information on how to protect yourself and others, read Public Health Ontario’s fact sheet.
Flu symptoms can be treated with plenty of rest, fluids (water is best) and over-the-counter medication to reduce any fever or aches.
Over-the-counter cough and flu medicine should not be given to children younger than 6 years old. It's only safe to do so if you're advised to by your health care provider.
If your symptoms become severe of worse, seek medical attention immediately.
