The US is experiencing a surge in flu cases, with 40 states reporting high or very high levels of illness last week. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), several seasonal flu strains are driving cases, with no dominant one.
Pediatric hospitals have seen a significant increase in cases of RSV, but “influenza has now joined the party,” said Dr. Jason Newland, an infectious diseases specialist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. The CDC estimates that so far this season, there have been at least 5.3 million flu illnesses, 63,000 hospitalizations, and 2,700 deaths.
While it’s unclear if this winter respiratory virus season will be worse than others, health officials say it’s relatively typical for kids. The CDC recommends annual flu vaccination for everyone 6 months and older, as well as proper hygiene practices such as washing hands, avoiding touching eyes and nose, and cleaning frequently touched surfaces.
Additionally, the CDC is keeping an eye on a rise in norovirus illnesses with 91 outbreaks reported early in December, as well as a rare strain of bird flu. However, health officials say the risk to the public remains low due to most cases being traced to direct contact with infected animals.
Source: https://time.com/7205057/cold-flu-season-2025-rsv