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Respiratory illness

Learn what respiratory illness is, how to assess it and how to care for it.
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Overview

Respiratory illness is caused by viruses or bacteria that affect the airway and lungs. Respiratory illness can be spread by coughing, sneezing or face-to-face contact.

Symptoms of a respiratory illness include cough, runny or stuffy nose and sore throat, which may be caused by one of the following:

  • COVID-19
  • influenza (flu)
  • respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
  • rhinovirus and other viruses that cause the common cold

You can protect yourself from some respiratory illnesses by staying up to date with your vaccines. Learn more about getting immunized against respiratory illness.

Assessing respiratory illness symptoms

If you have symptoms of respiratory illness, use the assessment tool to help decide if you should talk to someone about your symptoms or need additional care. You can do an assessment for yourself or another person, like a child or youth or someone else you are caring for.

Your healthcare provider will let you know if respiratory illness testing is recommended for your care.

If you have symptoms

When you are sick with any type of respiratory illness:

  • Stay home until you feel well enough to do your regular activities and you have not had a fever for at least 24 hours.
  • Avoid visiting healthcare facilities unless you need emergency care.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze into your arm or a tissue, not your hand. Put used tissues in the garbage.
  • Wash your hands well and often. Use warm water and soap or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Once you feel well enough to resume your regular activities, when you leave your home consider wearing a mask for 5 days when you are indoors with others. This is especially important around people who could get very sick, such as older adults or people with weak immune systems.

Self-care guide

Tips to manage mild symptoms at home

  • Stay home and get extra rest to help stop the virus from spreading to others and to help you feel better.
  • Drink plenty of fluids to replace those you lost and to make your throat feel better. Drink enough fluids to keep your urine pale yellow.
  • To help clear a stuffy nose, breathe moist air from a hot shower or a sink filled with hot water.
  • Apply a bit of petroleum jelly to the sore skin around your nose and lips. Always wash your hands after touching your face.
  • Raise your head with an extra pillow if coughing keeps you awake at night.
  • Try acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) to relieve body aches, headaches, and fever. Carefully read and follow all directions on the package. Cough and cold medicines may not be safe for young children or people who have certain health problems.
  • Don't smoke or breathe second-hand smoke, especially when you have an illness that can affect your breathing.
  • Cough medicine (cough suppressant) can help a dry, hacking cough. Ask your pharmacist which one is right for you. Children under age 6 years should not use cough medicine.
  • To soothe a sore throat, suck on throat lozenges or plain, hard candy. Don't give these to children under age 6 years.
  • Don't take antihistamines. They don't treat respiratory illness symptoms and could make nasal drainage thicker.
  • For comfort, you can sponge your body with lukewarm water to lower your fever. Lowering the fever will not make your symptoms go away but it can make you more comfortable.
  • For a stuffy nose, use salt water (saline) nose drops or rinses to loosen the dried mucus.
  • Follow the exact directions for taking any prescription medicines.

Illness comparison chart

Learn about the differences between COVID-19, influenza, the common cold, and gastrointestinal illness by viewing the comparison chart.

Current as of: November 4, 2024
Author: Communicable Disease Control, Alberta Health Services
Our work takes place on historical and contemporary Indigenous lands, including the territories of Treaty 6, Treaty 7 & Treaty 8 and the homeland of the Métis Nation of Alberta and 8 Métis Settlements. We also acknowledge the many Indigenous communities that have been forged in urban centres across Alberta.