Emerging Respiratory Infections

Explore this page to learn more about current emerging respiratory infections and diseases.

Current Emerging Respiratory Infections

Influenza (Flu)

Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It infects the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs and can range from mild to severe—and in some cases, can be life-threatening.

What to know:

Spread mainly through respiratory droplets when infected people cough, sneeze, or talk
Common symptoms include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches, headache, fatigue, and sometimes vomiting or diarrhea (more common in children)
Different from the common cold—the flu usually hits harder and more suddenly
Vaccination is the best way to prevent influenza and reduce severity

Whopping Cough

Whooping cough (also called pertussis) is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. It leads to severe coughing fits that can end with a distinctive “whooping” sound when the person breathes in.

What to know:

Spreads through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing
Starts like a common cold, then progresses to intense, prolonged coughing spells
Especially dangerous for infants and young children
Vaccination (DTaP/Tdap) is the most effective prevention