Health

Respiratory Illnesses: COVID-19, Flu, RSV

Stay Healthy this Winter!

Seasonal flu and COVID-19 vaccines are currently available in our clinics. Click here to visit our Immunizations Clinic page for more information about our services and who qualifies for vaccines through our programs.

 

When it starts getting cold, we see more cases of COVID-19, influenza (flu), RSV, and colds. COVID-19, flu, and RSV are contagious respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. 

Vaccines

Vaccines for COVID-19, flu, and RSV work to help prevent severe illness and hospitalization. Flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccinations are widely available at pharmacies, clinics and primary-care offices, and most insurance companies cover the costs. 

  • Flu and COVID-19 vaccinations are recommended for everyone aged six months and older. A statewide standing order that took effect in September allows all eligible Coloradans to receive the updated COVID-19 vaccine at pharmacies and other authorized sites without a separate physician prescription.
  • RSV vaccines are recommended for adults 75 years and older, those with underlying conditions, and pregnant people during weeks 32-36 of pregnancy.
  • Infants entering their first winter also need protection against RSV infection. If protection wasn’t provided during weeks 32-36 of pregnancy, infants are recommended to receive an immunizing injection during RSV season (October through March).

Help Keep Others Healthy

If you're experiencing respiratory symptoms plan to should stay home and away from others until all of your symptoms are getting better and you have not had a fever (without fever-reducing medication) for at least 24 hours. Resume normal activities and take extra precautions over the next five days.

Those that are at increased risk for severe illness including adults 65 and older, children younger than 2, and others with underlying medical conditions should contact your healthcare provider for additional guidance.

By taking the following steps, you can help the spread of respiratory illnesses:

  • Get vaccinated against, flu, COVID-19, and RSV if eligible.
  • Practice good hygiene and wash your hands often with soap and water.
  • Stay home when sick for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone.
  • Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your shirt sleeve.
  • Consider wearing a well fitting mask. When worn by a person with an infection, masks reduce the spread of the virus to others. Masks can also protect wearers from breathing in infectious particles from people around them.
  • Get plenty of rest.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
COVID-19
Influenza (Flu)
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
Avian Flu
Colorado Respiratory Viruses Data
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Visit our Measles webpage to learn more about this highly contagious respiratory virus, including symptoms, vaccine recommendations, and what you should do to stay healthy.

According to CDC, people who work on dairy farms are at higher risk for getting avian flu from sick cows or their milk. Dairy farm workers can protect themselves by:

  1. Wearing protective clothing — like coveralls, gloves, face masks/shields, and goggles —  when working with sick or dead animals, manure, or milk.
  2. Washing hands with soap and water throughout the day, before eating, drinking, or smoking, and before going home. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
  3. Cleaning areas that have come in contact with animals, manure, or milk using chemical disinfectants effective against viruses. Follow the directions on the label about how to use the product safely.

If you work with dairy cows suspected or confirmed to have avian flu and you start to feel sick, call CDPHE at 303-692-2700 (after normal business hours: 303-370-9395). The Department can help you get a flu test and medicine if you need it.

If you have questions about sick or dead animals on the farm, ask your farm manager and herd veterinarian.

Avian flu is a virus that naturally spreads among wild birds. It can also infect poultry and other kinds of animals, including cows.

While the risk to the general public is low, avoid direct contact with wild birds and observe them only from a distance. Wild birds can have avian flu even if they don’t look sick. Do not touch sick or dead animals, or surfaces contaminated with animal feces, if possible. Avoid tracking those materials home or to backyard flocks on boots and other items.

Waterfowl hunters, poultry workers, backyard bird flock owners, livestock farmers, and livestock workers are at higher risk of infection. They should take appropriate precautions, including:

  • Wear recommended personal protective equipment, including an N95 respirator, eye protection, and gloves, when in contact with sick birds or animals.
  • Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water after contact with birds or animals. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
  • Dress game birds in the field when possible and take precautions as outlined by Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
  • If you have livestock or poultry, watch your animals for any signs of illness. Report disease to the State Veterinarian’s office by calling 303-869-9130 or using the reportable disease case report form. Learn more about protecting your animals from avian flu on CDA’s website.
  • Notify your local Colorado Parks and Wildlife office if you find three or more dead wild birds in a specific area within two weeks, or if you find sick or dead mammals.

Request a Community Flu Vaccine Clinic at Your Dairy or Poultry Farm

LCDHE is an equity-based community vaccination clinic provider. Our clinic works with local organizations to offer vaccination clinics in our community with the goal of reducing barriers to receiving vaccines.  Community-based clinics are currently serving the following populations:

  • Uninsured or underinsured individuals ages 6+
  • Individuals with Medicaid ages 6+
  • Individuals requesting COVID-19 Vaccination

If you are interested in hosting a LCDHE seasonal flu shot vaccination clinic at your farm, please complete this Clinic Request Form. Complete el formulario en español aquí. 

Getting the COVID-19 vaccine this season offers the best protection against serious illness and hospitalization. CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses. Here are some other important ways to keep yourself and your family healthy this fall and winter!

  • Wash hands or use hand sanitizer frequently - washing your hands with warm soapy water for at least 20 seconds is one of the best ways to avoid catching the cold, flu, or COVID-19. It's also important to teach children good handwashing. Teach children the five handwashing steps: wet, lather, scrub, rinse, and dry,  and that washing hands after using the bathroom or before eating are key.
  • Avoid touching your face - when cold and flu germs get on our hands, we can spread those germs to our nose and mouth and become sick.
  • Aim to get at least 7 hours of sleep each night. During sleep, your body is working to support healthy brain function and maintain your physical health. In children and teens, sleep also helps support growth and development. Getting inadequate sleep over time can raise your risk for chronic health problems.
  • Drink wisely - Avoid too many sugary or alcoholic drinks. Drinking alcohol weakens your body's ability to fight infections, increasing the risk of complications, and making it harder to get better if you are sick. View the CDC webpage for additional tips to rethink your drink.
  • Exercise - According to the American Heart Association, adults need at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise every week. Muscle strengthening activities twice a week are also important to staying healthy.
  • Eat healthy - Lots of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help keep you healthy. Some nutrients even play a role in boosting the immune system, including those found in carrots, broccoli, and tomatoes. Other healthy foods for your immune system include citrus fruits, fish, eggs, beans and nuts, yogurt, and protein found in meats, beans, and nuts.
  • Avoid tobacco -   Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW for free support to help you quit tobacco, when you're ready! Smoking harms the immune system and can make the body less successful at fighting disease. For more information about quitting, visit the CDC's How to Quit Smoking page here.
  • Consider wearing a well-fitting high-quality mask around others, which can help reduce the spread of respiratory viruses. 

Free COVID-19 Home Test Kits: As of March 9th, free COVID-19 test kits are no longer available from the federal government. The Larimer County Department of Health and Environment is currently out of free test kits. 

While there is currently no definition for COVID-19 outbreaks in businesses, K-12 schools, camps, or early childhood education settings, we encourage our partners to reach out to us at comm-disease@larimer.org with questions about outbreak-like situations that are affecting a business or facility and with any general communicable disease questions. Outbreaks of other illnesses in these settings should be reported through this form.

If you require additional support please call our Communicable Disease team at 970-498-6708. 

Public Guidance Document from Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE).

Archived COVID-19 data for Larimer County can be found here. 

COVID-19 resources for health care providers and local public health agencies.


Communicable Disease Questions

comm-disease@co.larimer.co.us

970-498-6708