Respiratory Viruses

Respiratory Viruses

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Respiratory Viruses

​​​Viruses ​that cause respiratory ​diseases, like the ones that cause COVID-19, flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), usually spread in the fall and winter. Anyone can get a respiratory virus infect​ion, but some people are at higher risk for serious illness. The Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH) recommends the following actions to protect yourself and others:

  • Stay up to date with vaccines
  • Stay home, if sick
  • Wash hands often
  • Cover coughs and sneezes
  • Consider wearing a mask if you are high-risk for serious illness

Dark blue box showing icons of KDPH recommendations. 

KDPH | Respiratory Disease Season ​Recommendations

KDPH | 2025 Fall Immunization Guidance for Providers​

Respiratory Virus Update for Kentucky

Kentucky Respiratory Disease Data Dashboard​

​Kentucky COVID-19 and Influenza Seasonal Immunizations Dashboard​​

​ Kentucky Wastewater Surveillance Dashboard​

​ Weekly trends in respiratory illness hospitalizations and emergency department encounters in Kentucky​

Weekly trends of influenza-like illness activity in Kentucky

​Weekly trends of positive laboratory tests for COVID-19 and influenza in Kentucky

Weekly trends of deaths associated with COVID-19, influenza, and RSV in Kentucky​

Respiratory Virus Activity Levels | Respiratory Illnesses | CDC ​
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Archived Respi​ratory Viruses Data and Material

View archived COVID-19 Dashboard ​-Discontinued as of October 12, 2023

​​20​19-2023 Seasonal​​ Flu Activity​​​​​

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​​​External Resources ​

CDC | Weekly Respiratory Virus Snapshot

Immunizations & Vaccines | AAFP

ACOG Releases Updated Maternal Immunization Guidance for COVID-19, Influenza, and RSV | ACOG

AAP-Immunization-Schedule.pdf​​​​​​

KDPH Resources

KDPH | Immunization Outreach Website




​Pertussis - Cabinet for Health and Family Services​​​

KDPH Flu, COVId-19, RSV and Pneumonia toolkit flyer




KDPH | Flu, COVID-19, RSV and Pneumonia Toolkit


Kentucky Immunization Registry flyer for public to access immunization records

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KDP​H | Kentucky Immunization Registry Public Portal

Access official immunization records for you and your minor.

KYIR Public Portal Flyer English

KYIR Public Portal Flyer Spanish

​KDPH | Am I too Sick for School or Work? Flyer​

KDPH | The Power to Protect Begins with You! Social Media

KDPH | The Power to Protect Begins with You! Flyers​

Additional Health Care Provider Resources

NFID | Respiratory Immunization Graphics​

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Learn More About Each of these Viruses

COVID-19

General Information

COVID-19 can be very contagious and spreads quickly. People with COVID-19 typically have mild symptoms, but some people can become severely ill.

Vaccines

Health Care Providers

Influenza

General Information

Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. Some people, such as older adults, young children, and people with certain health conditions are at higher risk for complications.

Vaccines

Health Care Providers

Recommendations for Prevention and Control of Influenza in Children, 2025–2026: Policy Statement | Pediatrics | American Academy of Pediatrics

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

General Information

RSV is a very contagious respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. RSV can be serious in some people, especially babies and older adults.

Vaccines

RSV vaccines are recommended for older adults and pregnant people during weeks 32 to 36 of pregnancy. A monoclonal antibody product is available to protect infants from severe RSV.

Health Care Providers

Contact Information

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