Respiratory Virus Season

Respiratory viruses such as flu, COVID-19 and RSV spread quickly in the winter season, and can cause serious illness. When you get tested, get treated and get updated vaccinations you'll have have the best protection for yourself and those around you.

Get Vaccinated

Flu, RSV and COVID-19 vaccinations available from county health departments by calling 855-767-0170.

Vaccinations are also widely available from doctors or pharmacies.
Find one near you ?

Get Tested

Recover faster when you catch illness early. Get tested as soon as you feel sick. Schedule a free COVID-19 or flu test at county health departments by calling 855-767-0170.

Get Treated

Early treatment for flu or COVID-19 speeds your recovery and helps protect others. If you test positive, the right medication right away can greatly shorten your illness.

Who Needs Protection?

Every Mississippian should have a seasonal flu shot and updated vaccinations against COVID-19. Babies and older adults need to be vaccinated against RSV.

* Flu, RSV and COVID-19 hospitalize thousands of Mississippi children and adults every year, and lead to hundreds of deaths.

Those especially at risk include:

• Pregnant women: Respiratory virus infection can lead to pregnancy complications and affect your developing child.
• Older adults: As you age, your immune system can become less effective at protecting you from viral infections. And if you're in poor health or have a chronic illness, respiratory infections increase your risk of hospitalization and death.
• Young children: The immune systems of children younger than 5 are still developing, and viral infections can cause serious illness and even death.

Vaccinations Are Your Best Defense

Vaccinations lower your risk of severe illness and can keep you out of the hospital. But to be effective, you need the latest available vaccines for flu and COVID-19. Only one vaccination against RSV is needed (RSV vaccination during pregnancy even protects your child after it is born).

*Vaccinations against flu and COVID-19 are available from county health departments. Schedule an appointment by calling 855-767-0170

Get Tested — Get Treated

Testing helps you and others: the earlier these infections are identified, the sooner you can get well and prevent the spread to others. If you test positive for flu infection, adults and older children can be treated with antiviral medications if they have had symptoms for less than 48 hours. Older adults who test positive for COVID-19 should ask their doctor about Paxlovid for a quicker recovery.

Adults and children can be tested for flu and COVID-19 free at any county health department — drop in, or schedule an appointment by calling 855-767-0170.

• Find county health department locations

Other Preventive Steps

Take all the precautions you can during virus season to stay healthy and to keep those around you healthy.

• Stay home if you're sick: If you have fever, stay home or away from others as much as possible to limit the spread of illness.
• Practice protective hygiene: Cover your coughs and sneezes, wash your hands frequently, and wear a mask when you are in crowded places.
• Limit your time in crowds: Respiratory viruses spread more easily in groups of people. Keep your exposure short, and encourage outdoor gatherings and plenty of fresh air circulation.
• Stay healthy: Keep up healthy habits like eating wisely and getting physical activity daily. If you have an ongoing illness, stay in touch with your doctor and take any prescribed medications consistently.

Take Action

• More about flu in Mississippi
• More about COVID-19 in Mississippi
• More about RSV CDC