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A respiratory illness is a disease that affects a person’s lungs or breathing. Viruses are a common cause of respiratory illness, especially during fall and winter — sometimes called “cold and flu season.” Bacteria can also cause respiratory illnesses, such as whooping cough.

 

Examples of respiratory illnesses include:

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View our Respiratory Illness Report to learn about current respiratory virus trends.

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Disease Information

Communicable diseases are diseases that spread between people or animals. ​Click on the buttons below to learn about specific diseases. For more disease information, visit the CDC's health topics index.​

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Communicable Disease Data Dasbhoards

Communicable disease data from Kitsap, Clallam, and Jefferson counties, compiled from CDC, WA DOH, and local sources. 

Suggested citation: Kitsap Public Health District. (2025). Region 2 Communicable Disease Surveillance Summary Dashboards. [Data Set].  https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/kitsap.public.health.district.assessment.and.epi.team/viz/Region2CommunicableDiseaseSurveillanceSummary/Welcome, accessed -ENTER ACCESS DATE-.

Symptoms

Different respiratory illnesses have different symptoms. Runny nose, coughing, sneezing, tiredness, fever, and sore throat are all symptoms commonly associated with seasonal respiratory illnesses. Learn more about symptoms of colds, flu, RSV, COVID-19, and whooping cough.

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Note: "Stomach flu" or "stomach bugs" involving diarrhea and vomiting are not typically related to influenza (flu).  "Stomach flu" is often caused by norovirus, an extremely contagious virus that causes gastrointestinal illness. 

Who is most at risk?

​Seasonal respiratory illnesses, such as cold and flu, are often mild but can cause severe complications. Some people are at higher risk for severe illness, including:

 

  • infants and young children

  • older adults

  • people who are pregnant

  • people with certain health conditions

What to do if you are sick

Care for yourself at home if you have mild symptoms and are not at high risk for severe illness:

  • Get plenty of rest

  • Drink fluids

  • Use over-the-counter medications to ease symptoms, such as fever or headache. 

Contact a healthcare provider if you are concerned about symptoms or are at high risk for severe illness:

  • Call your regular healthcare provider or a clinic

  • Call a nurse hotline (a hotline may be available through your insurance plan or your healthcare provider) 

Seek medical care right away if you or a household member are experiencing severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing or dehydration:

  • Call 911 or go to the closest hospital emergency room.

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See more recommendations from the CDC.

Preventing respiratory illnesses

Take simple steps to prevent getting or spreading illnesses

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick

  • Wash your hands frequently

  • Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands

  • Stay at home as much as possible when you are sick. Keep children home from school or daycare

  • Test for COVID-19 and follow CDC guidance

  • Consider wearing a mask when you are in crowded indoor spaces

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Stay up to date on immunizations (vaccines)

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Contact your healthcare provider or go to vaccines.gov to find vaccines near you. Learn more about recommended immunizations at cdc.gov/vaccines.


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Using a mobile device? These data dashboards cannot be viewed on a phone or tablet. Please visit this webpage from a computer. 

Rabies Data

Respiratory Illnesses

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