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Respiratory illnesses

Respiratory illnesses are caused by germs that affect the respiratory system (your lungs and throat) and can spread easily from person-to-person. Learn how to protect yourself.

Common respiratory illnesses

COVID-19, influenza (flu) and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) are common respiratory illnesses that can cause similar symptoms.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is caused by a bacteria that usually affects the lungs, but may also affect other parts of the body. Tuberculosis is preventable, treatable and curable.

How to protect yourself from COVID-19, flu and RSV

While anyone can get really sick, some people are more at risk of severe outcomes — such as hospitalization or death — from common respiratory illnesses like COVID-19, influenza (flu) and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus).

Those more at risk include children (especially young children), elderly individuals, people with underlying medical conditions, immunocompromised individuals and pregnant individuals.

Protect yourself, those around you, and our health care system from common respiratory illnesses by using "layers of protection". Using multiple layers helps lower your risk of getting and spreading infection.

For the best protection, stay up to date with all your vaccinations, especially if you're travelling.

Find out where you can get vaccinated.

Questions about vaccines? Contact your health care provider, the Vaccine Team, VaxFacts or SickKids InfoLine.

Staying home when you're sick is one of the best ways to prevent spreading illness to others.

Guidance may differ for those who work in highest risk settings such as a hospital, long-term care home or retirement home. Employees should speak with their employer and follow workplace guidance for return to work.

Masks help protect both the wearer and those around them by blocking germs from entering and exiting.

Especially important if:

  • You're at higher risk of severe illness
  • You care for people at higher risk
  • You're in crowded or poorly ventilated settings
  • Your symptoms are improving but you're no longer isolating

Learn about masking.

Ensure your ventilation system is in good working order. If you don't have a ventilation system, open windows to increase fresh air flow (if weather permits and can be tolerated).

Air filtration can also help maintain a healthy indoor environment.

Hand hygiene means:

  • Washing your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; or
  • Using a hand sanitizer containing 70-90 per cent alcohol

If your hands are visibly dirty, use soap and water to clean them.

It's important to practise good hand hygiene regularly, especially:

  • Before eating or preparing food
  • After using the washroom
  • After coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose

Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your sleeve, dispose of tissues properly, and clean your hands after.

Avoid sharing personal items like toothbrushes and utensils.

Clean high-touch surfaces regularly.

Flu activity in Niagara

Niagara Region monitors the spread of flu and flu-like illnesses on an ongoing basis. From September to April, influenza outbreak activity is reported.

Last updated: April 22, 2026

0

Active outbreaks

22

Cases last week

1,695

Total cases since September 2026

31

Total outbreaks this season

Most people infected with influenza don't get laboratory testing, so actual infection numbers are likely much higher. Only laboratory-confirmed cases are reported to Public Health.

Ontario Respiratory Virus Tool →
Public Health Agency of Canada Flu Watch →

Tuberculosis (TB)

Tuberculosis has two forms: latent infection (bacteria are inactive and you can't spread it) and active disease (bacteria are multiplying and you can spread it to others). Learn who is most at risk of tuberculosis.

A skin test (tuberculin skin test) or a blood test (Interferon-Gamma Release Assay) is used to detect tuberculosis bacteria in your body.

A positive result means you have been exposed to the tuberculosis bacteria. You will need further testing to see if you have active tuberculosis disease.

Where to get tested: Testing is available at your doctor's office or walk-in clinics. Niagara Region Public Health doesn't offer testing.

Niagara Region Public Health provides free medication for the treatment of tuberculosis.

For the medication to be effective, it's important to take it as prescribed. A public health nurse can help you with this. They provide directly-observed therapy to ensure clients take tuberculosis medication correctly.

Tuberculosis medical surveillance is a medical check-up for a person who has recently arrived in Canada. This is to assess if they have latent tuberculosis infection or active tuberculosis disease.

Medical surveillance is required by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for anyone who was assessed as having inactive tuberculosis on their immigration medical examination.

Learn more about medical surveillance.

Have a question?

Contact Infectious Diseases