A fast-moving shift in the flu season is here. I can confirm flu activity is climbing across the United States this week, and a newly highlighted variant is in the mix. Clinics are filling. Schools are reporting clusters. Families are asking what to do now. Here is what this means for your health today.
What I am seeing right now
Influenza is picking up speed earlier than many expected. National surveillance for the week ending December 6, 2025 shows a clear rise in cases. Emergency rooms are seeing more fevers, coughs, and body aches. Testing is turning positive more often.
The story behind the numbers is about momentum. A new variant looks ready to drive wider spread. That does not mean a worse illness for everyone. It does mean more chances to get sick if we do not act.
The new variant, the vaccine, and your risk
This season’s vaccine still matters. Even if the match to this variant is not perfect, the shot helps your immune system respond. It is built to reduce severe illness, hospital stays, and death. That is the win we need when a variant pushes cases higher.
If you have not been vaccinated, book it now. Protection starts building within about two weeks. You may still gain some benefit sooner, especially for severe disease. If you are over 65, pregnant, have a chronic condition, or care for someone high risk, do not wait.
If you wake up with fever and body aches, call your clinic the same day. Early treatment works best.
How to lower your chances of getting or spreading flu
Flu spreads through droplets, close contact, and contaminated hands. Small, steady habits cut your risk and protect your circle. These steps are simple and proven:
- Get your flu shot, and help family and coworkers do the same.
- Wash hands often with soap for 20 seconds, or use sanitizer with 60 percent alcohol.
- Improve airflow, open a window or use a HEPA purifier if you have one.
- Wear a well fitting mask in crowded indoor spaces, especially if cases are high.
- Stay home if you feel sick, and keep kids home when they have a fever.
Feeling sick? Act fast
Classic flu symptoms include sudden fever, chills, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, and deep fatigue. Some people have vomiting or diarrhea, more often in children. If symptoms hit hard, act early.
Rapid tests are widely available. A positive test helps guide care. Antiviral pills or liquids, such as oseltamivir or baloxavir, work best when started within 48 hours of symptoms. Clinicians recommend them for high risk patients and for severe illness. If you are older, pregnant, immunocompromised, or have heart, lung, kidney, liver, or metabolic disease, ask about treatment right away. Even after 48 hours, treatment can help in severe or hospitalized cases.
Supportive care still matters. Rest, fluids, and fever control with acetaminophen or ibuprofen can ease symptoms. Avoid antibiotics unless your clinician says you have a bacterial infection.
Seek urgent care for trouble breathing, chest pain, confusion, severe dehydration, lips or face turning blue, or a seizure. Do not give aspirin to children with flu symptoms.
Your first 48 hours playbook
- Isolate as soon as symptoms start, and test as soon as you can.
- Call your clinic to discuss antivirals, sooner is better.
- Sip fluids, and treat fever if needed. Monitor breathing.
- Tell close contacts who are high risk so they can watch for symptoms.
Keeping home, school, and work safer
If you are sick, stay home until you are fever free for 24 hours without fever reducers. When you return, wear a mask for a few more days, and keep distance if possible. At home, set up a sick room if you can. Wipe high touch surfaces daily. Do not share cups, towels, or utensils. Crack a window to boost airflow. In classrooms and offices, keep hand sanitizer visible, encourage vaccination, and support flexible sick leave. It is easier to prevent one case than to manage a whole cluster.
