Just when you thought it was safe to move past flu season, new reporsts are showing the flu is rising rapidly across the U.S. This resurgence is driven by a new variant of the virus.
That variant, known as “subclade K (or A(H3N2), J.2.4.1),” led to early outbreaks in the United Kingdom, Japan and Canada. Just before the start of the new year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported high or very high levels of illness in more than half of the states.
How Bad is the Flu this Season?
The CDC estimated there have been at least 7.5 million illnesses in the U.S., 81,000 hospitalizations and 3,100 deaths from flu so far this season. That includes at least eight child deaths, and is based on data as of Dec. 20, prior to major holiday gatherings.
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New York is one of the states that is reporting the highest number of flu hospitalizations recorded in a single week, the state’s health department said on Friday.
During the week ending Dec. 27, 4,546 people were hospitalized with flu, a 24% increase from the 3,666 who were hospitalized the previous week, according to data from the New York State Department of Health (NYSOH)
It comes after the state reported a record-breaking number of flu cases in a single week with 72,133 infections during the week ending Dec. 20.
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An Ohio teenager has also recently died from the flu.
Ryleigh Spurlock, 16, went to the doctor with “ordinary flu symptoms” on Dec. 23, but her condition quickly worsened, and she died in the hospital on Dec. 28, Cleveland 19 News reported, citing Greene County officials.
“She went from a 98.5 temperature to a 105, she went septic, she had double pneumonia, all within 24 hours, all from the flu, and it doesn’t make sense,” Ryleigh’s stepmother, Brittney, said to the outlet.
Within hours of arriving at the hospital, Ryleigh was declared brain dead, her family told Cleveland 19 News.
“She hadn’t had a pulse for 50 minutes. They were doing chest compressions, but she was brain dead,” Brittany said of Ryleigh.
The 16-year-old had not received her flu shot before her death, according to Cleveland 19 News.
Common Flu Symptoms
According to the CDC, the most common symptoms of the flu include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle or body aches
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Some people may experience vomiting and diarrhea, but this is more common in children than adults
What flu symptoms require medical attention
If symptoms prolong, worsen or develop into any of the following, seek medical care right away:
- Fast breathing, trouble breathing or shortness of breath
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- Bluish lips or face, in children
- Persistent dizziness, confusion, inability to arouse
- Dehydration
- Fever or cough that improves then returns or worsens
- Seizures
- Fever about 104 degrees Fahrenheit that isn’t controlled by medication
- In children younger than 12 weeks, any fever
- Worsening of chronic medical conditions
Common Cold vs. The Flu: How to Tell the Difference
Telling the difference between a common cold and the flu (influenza) can be tricky at first, because both affect the respiratory system. The key differences come down to how fast symptoms start, how severe they are, and how sick you feel overall.
How They Feel Different
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A cold usually feels like a nuisance. You may feel tired, but you can still function.
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The flu often feels like you were “hit by a truck”—deep exhaustion, aches, fever, and the need to lie down.
How Long They Last
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Cold: 5–10 days (sometimes lingering congestion)
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Flu: 7–14 days, with fatigue possibly lasting longer
When You Should Be More Concerned (Especially Important)
Seek medical care if you have:
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High fever lasting more than 3 days
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Shortness of breath or chest pain
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Severe weakness or confusion
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Worsening symptoms after initial improvement
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Chronic conditions (diabetes, heart disease, asthma), are pregnant, or over age 65
Quick Rule of Thumb
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Stuffy nose + sore throat + mild fatigue = likely a cold
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Sudden fever + body aches + extreme tiredness = likely the flu
How to Fight Back Against the Flu
Home Self-Care and Symptom Relief
- Prioritize Rest: Your body needs energy to fight the virus; sleep and avoiding physical exertion are essential for recovery.
- Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water, broth, or electrolyte-rich sports drinks to thin mucus and prevent dehydration, especially if you have a fever.
- Manage Fever and Aches: Use over-the-counter (OTC) medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil). Warning: Never give aspirin to children or teens due to the risk of Reye’s syndrome.
- Ease Congestion:
- Use a cool-mist humidifier to moisten the air and soothe coughs.
- Use saline nasal sprays or drops to clear nasal passages.
- Gargle with warm salt water to relieve a sore throat.
- Eat Nutrient-Rich Foods: Focus on easy-to-digest items like chicken soup, bananas, rice, or oatmeal. Avoid greasy or high-sugar foods that can increase nausea.
Prevention and Protection
- Annual Vaccination: Getting a flu shot is the most effective way to prevent infection and reduce the severity of illness if you do get sick. Use the Vaccines.gov locator to find a nearby site.
- Isolate and Stay Home: Stay home until you have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication to avoid spreading the virus.
- Practice Good Hygiene: Wash hands frequently for 20 seconds, cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow, and regularly disinfect high-touch surfaces like doorknobs and phones.
What Does the Flu Shot Do?
Can a flu shot give you the flu?
The flu shot won’t give you the flu, but it can leave you with a few flu-like symptoms. Some people may get a mild fever, a headache or feel fatigued, says infectious disease expert, Dr. Patrick Kenney.
Consider it a sign that your immune system is responding to the medication. The flu vaccine trains your immune system to recognize and fight the flu. That causes it to make the antibodies that will eventually protect you if you’re exposed to the virus.
“Experiencing a mild reaction after a flu shot is normal and shows that your immune system is building protection,” explains Dr. Kenney. “Any flu shot symptoms — including soreness at the site of the shot — typically disappear within 24 to 48 hours.”
Does the flu shot contain an active flu virus?
Flu shots don’t contain the live flu virus. Instead, they use either an inactivated (killed) version of the virus or a single protein from the virus, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Neither the inactivated virus nor the single protein will cause the flu, according to the CDC.
“That’s always a concern we hear, but there’s no live virus in the flu shot,” reiterates Dr. Kenney. “That’s why you can’t get the flu from a flu shot.”
