What you must know

21 Jan

People are within the throes of flu season in massive swaths of the nation.

Information − from traces in wastewater to hospitalizations − present increased ranges of flu virus circulating in a lot of the U.S. Thus far this season, over 160,000 folks have landed within the hospital from flu issues, in accordance with estimates from the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention. Greater than 6,600 folks have died.

And it could worsen quickly. America’ highest month for flu sicknesses is normally February, in accordance with the CDC.

However there are different respiratory viruses circulating as nicely. Together with flu, winter months are highs for the widespread chilly, RSV and COVID-19.

Here is what to find out about flu signs in 2025, how you can inform if it is one thing else, and how you can defend your self:

What are flu signs?

Fever, feeling feverish or chills;
cough;
sore throat;
runny or stuffy nostril;
muscle or physique aches, or fatigue or tiredness;
headache;
vomiting or diarrhea, which is extra widespread amongst youngsters.

Flu season is upon the U.S., as are other circulating winter respiratory illnesses, such as the common cold and COVID-19.

With these signs, it may be exhausting to know what’s making you sick, whether or not it’s chilly, flu or COVID-19, with out a check confirming the kind of an infection you’ve got.

Is it flu or one thing else?

However there are some variations.

COVID-19 can present up later than the chilly or flu, the Mayo Clinic says. In the meantime, a chilly an infection doesn’t normally trigger fever or headache, however these are widespread with flu and COVID-19. Muscle aches and tiredness – extra widespread for COVID-19 and flu – do not occur with a chilly.

Dry cough sometimes signifies COVID-19 in contrast with the flu.

RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, normally causes delicate signs akin to chilly that go away on their very own. However for infants, some younger youngsters and older adults, it may be severe.

How does the flu unfold?

The flu spreads primarily via droplets when an contaminated particular person coughs, sneezes or talks. Individuals also can get sick by touching surfaces the place these droplets have landed, after which contact their nostril, mouth or eyes.

How can I stop the flu?

The flu vaccine, for everybody ages 6 months and older, is essential, Dr. Eduardo Azziz-Baumgartner, a medical epidemiologist in CDC’s Influenza Division, beforehand instructed USA TODAY. Whereas it gained’t fully cut back your possibilities of getting sick, a vaccine reduces your threat of getting severely in poor health.

Easy steps to forestall germs from spreading go a good distance. Frequent hand-washing, with cleaning soap and water, is a begin, as is protecting your coughs and sneezes, and avoiding touching your eyes, nostril and mouth, CDC mentioned.

You also needs to keep away from contact with people who find themselves sick. If you’re in poor health, CDC recommends you must keep dwelling till each your signs are enhancing and also you haven’t had a fever for twenty-four hours.

Antiviral medicine prescribed by a physician can deal with the flu. They’re finest when used inside just a few days of growing signs.

If you must go exterior or work together with others, a face masks, comparable to an N95 or KN95, can assist cut back you or another person from passing the flu.

Eduardo Cuevas covers well being and breaking information for USA TODAY. He may be reached at EMCuevas1@usatoday.com.