Last Updated: October 27, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 27, 2025
Media Contact: Bryan Hooten, 804-807-1727, bryan.hooten@vdh.virginia.gov
RHHD Encourages the ‘Little Things’ to Protect Against Respiratory Illnesses This Fall
Wash Your Hands, Cover Your Coughs and Sneezes, Get Immunized
RICHMOND, Va. – You can protect yourself and your family this fall from respiratory viruses like COVID-19, flu, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) by doing some simple little things. Richmond and Henrico Health Districts share three little things for a healthy fall: washing your hands, covering your coughs and sneezes, and getting immunized.
“Immunization is the most effective way to prevent serious infections from flu, COVID-19, and RSV,” said Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Director Elaine Perry, M.D. “It’s also important to remember basic public health prevention measures such as hand washing and covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze to reduce the chances of spreading all respiratory viruses.”
Washing Hands
Washing hands takes a mere 20-30 seconds but can be key to keeping you healthy and preventing respiratory diseases. Germs can spread by touching surfaces and other people. Be sure 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 readily available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol to clean your hands.
Covering Your Cough
Respiratory viruses can spread through droplets that are released when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. To limit the spread of respiratory viruses, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Put your used tissue in the waste basket.
If you don’t have a tissue, cough into your upper sleeve or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow, not your hands.
Getting Immunized
Everyone aged six months and older should get a flu vaccine every year, with a few exceptions. Talk to a healthcare provider about which flu vaccines are recommended for you and your family.
People aged six months and older should receive the COVID-19 vaccine based on individual-based decision-making with a healthcare provider.
All adults aged 75 years and older are recommended to receive a single dose of one RSV vaccine. If you are 60-74 years old with a health condition, 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, stay home to prevent additional spread of respiratory virus.
For more information about how to stay healthy during respiratory illness season and all year round, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/epidemiology/respiratory-diseases-in-virginia/ or visit rhhd.gov. Follow RHHD on Instagram (@richmondcity_hd) and Facebook.
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Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) are sister public health agencies serving our connected communities. Our mission is to protect health, champion equity, and partner to address local needs.
rhhd.gov | henrico.gov/health | RHHD Facebook | IG: @richmondcity_hd