RHHD encourage healthy habits to protect against respiratory illnesses this fall

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) are encouraging healthy habits this fall to protect yourself and your family from respiratory illnesses like COVID-19, flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

RHHD said these three little things can help you protect yourself and your family from respiratory illnesses this fall: washing your hands, covering your coughs and sneezes and getting immunized.

Washing your hands takes only 20 to 30 seconds, but it can be key to staying healthy and preventing respiratory diseases, RHHD said. Germs can spread by touching surfaces and other people. The health districts said to wash your hands:

• After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. 
• Before and after preparing food or eating. 
• Before and after caring for someone else who is sick. 
• After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste 

If soap and water are not available, the health districts said you can use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol to clean your hands.

In addition to washing your hands, RHHD said you should cover your coughs to protect yourself from respiratory viruses, which can spread through droplets that are released when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks.

The health districts said you should cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw away the used tissue into a trash can. If you don't have a tissue on hand, cough into your upper sleeve or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow. Do not sneeze or cough onto your hand.

RHHD said getting immunized is another important step to protect yourself and your family against respiratory illnesses.

Everyone aged six months and older should get a flu vaccine every year, with a few exceptions. The health districts said to talk to a healthcare provider about which flu vaccines are recommended for you and your family. 

All adults aged 75 years and older are recommended to receive one dose of one RSV vaccine. If you are 60 to 74 years old with a health condition, RHHD said to speak with your healthcare provider to decide if the RSV vaccine is the right choice for you. Pregnant women and parents of newborns should also talk with their provider about the benefits of RSV immunization. 

If you are sick, RHHD said to stay home to prevent additional spread of respiratory viruses. 

For more information on staying healthy during respiratory illness season and all year round, visit the Virginia Department of Health's website.