What infections are covered by the new guidance?
To streamline recommendations, CDC has offered a uniform set of recommendations for the most common respiratory illnesses in the U.S. This update includes COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus.
What setting is the new guidance intended for?
The updated guidance is meant for general community settings and not for health care settings. CDC notes “there are no changes to respiratory virus guidance for health care settings.”
What does the new guidance say?
The updated recommendations say that if one falls ill with a respiratory virus, they should stay home and away from others (including others in the household who are not ill). They can return to normal activities when symptoms are improving and if they’ve been fever-free (without the aid of fever-reducing medications [e.g., acetaminophen]) for at least 24 hours. It should be noted that a fever is considered a measured temperature of >100.4 F (38 C), feeling warm to the touch with other symptoms or feeling feverish, per CDC. While an accurately measured temperature is the optimal method to determine fever, it is not always possible to take a person’s temperature.
In the 5 days following resuming normal activities, people are encouraged to help decrease the spread of respiratory disease by wearing a well-fitting mask, keeping a distance from others, washing hands often and cleaning frequently touched surfaces. Enhanced infection control precautions are especially important to protect community members who are most at risk for severe illness (e.g., adults over 65, immunocompromised patients, pregnant people).
The guidance also highlights that for those with COVID-19 or influenza, therapeutics/treatments are available and could reduce symptoms and risk of severe illness. Staying up to date with vaccinations can protect from serious illness, hospitalization and death.
Visit the CDC website for updated respiratory virus guidance.