Tag

Flu Season

All articles tagged with #flu season

health2 days ago•4 min saved

Bay Area Flu Activity Surges Early, Driving Hospitalizations and Urging Vaccination

The San Francisco Bay Area is experiencing an unusually early and severe flu season, with the highest test positivity rates in California. Health officials report a significant spike in hospitalizations and emergency room visits, with 34 flu-related deaths recorded statewide. Influenza A, specifically the H1N1 strain, is the dominant virus. Officials are urging immediate vaccination, noting that current coverage rates remain low despite the rising threat.

via KTVU|

#bay-area #flu-season #health

health7 days ago•6 min saved

Florida Flu Cases Rise as Experts Urge Early Vaccination

Florida flu cases are rising as the 2026-2027 season begins. The CDC recommends vaccination in September or October to ensure immunity before peak season. Flu shots are available at major retailers like Publix, Walmart, CVS, and Walgreens, often free with insurance. While some outlets emphasize the urgency due to recent severe seasons, others note that later vaccination still offers benefits.

via Naples Daily News|

#cdc #florida #flu-season

health11 days ago•30 min saved

mFlusiva mRNA flu shot reaches US pharmacies as coverage and availability questions linger

Moderna’s mFlusiva, the first mRNA-based flu vaccine, is now available at over 13,000 US locations for adults 50 and older. While it offers roughly 27-30% better protection than traditional shots, availability is limited and insurance coverage for those under 65 remains uncertain.

via KOMO|

#flu-season #health #medicare

health19 days ago•47 min saved

Sick Season Ahead: Doctors Warn of Flu, RSV, and COVID Surge

Doctors expect a busy fall and winter with flu (early type A, later type B) leading illnesses, along with RSV and COVID-19 circulating. Vaccination remains crucial to prevent severe illness, and indoor gatherings in colder months typically boost spread. The season usually spans fall through spring, peaking in December–January.

via BuzzFeed|

#covid-19 #flu #flu-season

health28 days ago•5 min saved

October: The Optimal Window for Your Flu Shot

Timing matters for the annual flu shot: getting vaccinated too early can wear off before the end of flu season, which typically runs roughly October through May with a peak in December–February. Doctors suggest aiming for late October (around Halloween) so protection lasts, noting it takes about two weeks after vaccination to develop antibodies. Vaccine options vary by age and include trivalent vaccines for most adults, quadrivalent for those 65+, egg-free and mRNA options, and the FluMist nasal spray. Children under 8 getting their first flu shot need two doses spaced a few weeks apart. If you miss the October window, it’s still better to vaccinate than not, and later vaccination can still help reduce the risk of severe illness.

via Prevention|

#flu-season #flu-shot-timing #flumist

health1 month ago•13 min saved

Anticipating a Quieter Flu Season

After last year’s unpredictable flu surge, experts hope for a milder fall and winter this year. Early signals from Australia show moderate flu activity and vaccines appear well matched to circulating strains, which boosts optimism, but scientists caution that the Northern Hemisphere still faces uncertainty as the season unfolds.

via The New York Times|

#flu-season #health #infectious-disease

health7 months ago•27 min saved

Hidden respiratory virus HMPV surges as flu wanes

A little-known respiratory virus called human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is rising nationwide as flu season winds down, with wastewater data showing high community activity. Most infections are mild and last 2–5 days, but HMPV can progress to pneumonia, bronchitis, or trigger asthma flares, particularly in young children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems. There is no vaccine and no specific treatment. Diagnosis is usually clinical, sometimes confirmed by nasal/throat swabs, and transmission occurs via droplets and contaminated surfaces. Prevention centers on staying home when sick, hand-washing, and keeping surfaces clean. Most people will be infected with at least one HMPV strain in their lifetime.

via New York Post|

#flu-season #health #hmpv

local8 months ago•24 min saved

Washington records first pediatric flu death of the season as cases rise statewide

A Snohomish County school-age teen died after contracting influenza, marking the state’s first pediatric flu death this season, with health officials reporting rising flu activity across western Washington and urging vaccination and preventive measures.

via komonews.com|

#flu-season #influenza #local

health8 months ago•12 min saved

Record-breaking flu season tests Americans, who lean on rest, deliveries and vaccines to cope

The U.S. is in a record-breaking flu season, with the CDC reporting about 19 million illnesses and thousands of deaths from a new subclade K. Personal stories show people coping by resting for days, using meal delivery services and streaming to pass the time, and relying on vaccines and antivirals like Tamiflu and Xofluza. The season appears to be easing from its winter peak, but the impact has been widespread across ages and professions.

via CNN|

#antivirals #cdc #flu-season

health8 months ago•3 min saved

Kansas wastewater reveals multi-virus surge as flu season begins

Lawrence’s wastewater tests show high levels of six viruses—COVID-19, influenza A and B, RSV, human metapneumovirus, and norovirus—over the past three weeks, signaling community circulation during peak flu season; wastewater data reflects viral spread rather than exact case counts, with an earlier influenza B peak and a rising COVID Stratus/XFG variant (82.5% of positives, up 25%), and Salina reporting medium concentrations for these illnesses as well; health officials urge vaccination, masking at some clinics, and staying home when sick to curb spread.

via hayspost.com|

#covid-19 #flu-season #health

future-perfect8 months ago•37 min saved

Toward a world without flu: universal vaccines gain ground

The current flu season is unusually harsh with high illness and hospitalization numbers and low vaccination rates, but researchers are pursuing a set of universal flu vaccine approaches (targeting the HA stem, mosaic nanoparticle displays, and neuraminidase/T-cell–based strategies) plus longer-lasting preventives. If these efforts succeed and are paired with faster vaccine updates, the world could see dramatically reduced infections and severe illnesses in future winters, though funding and public acceptance remain challenges.

via vox.com|

#flu-season #future-perfect #mrna-vaccine

health8 months ago•14 min saved

Record Flu Surge Hits Half the U.S., Doctors Urge Caution and Vaccination

The United States is in the midst of a severe flu season with widespread activity across more than half the states, millions of cases so far, rising hospitalizations and some deaths. Experts warn cases may climb further before peaking, likely in February, and emphasize vaccination plus standard precautions to reduce illness and severe outcomes.

via HuffPost|

#cdc #flu #flu-season

health9 months ago•1 min saved

Ogden Girl, 4, Dies from Influenza Complications

A 4-year-old girl from Ogden, Utah, Elora 'Ellie' Rudd, died from complications related to influenza, including pneumonia and sepsis, after her condition worsened despite hospital care. Her death highlights the severity of the current flu season, which has caused significant illness and fatalities nationwide, especially among children.

via KUTV|

#child-death #flu-season #health

health9 months ago•4 min saved

Oregon's Central Region Experiences Surge in Flu Cases Amidst Low Vaccination Rates

Oregon is experiencing a milder flu season compared to last year despite a nationwide surge caused by a new influenza A strain, with hospitalizations and infections remaining relatively low and officials urging residents to get vaccinated and take precautions.

via Oregon Public Broadcasting - OPB|

#flu-season #health #hospitalizations

health9 months ago•4 min saved

US flu season hits 25-year high with worsening spread and effective vaccines

U.S. flu infections are surging this season, surpassing last winter's severity, driven by a new H3N2 strain not covered by current vaccines, with health officials warning of a peak ahead and recent policy changes reducing vaccine recommendations for children, raising concerns about public health data and disease control efforts.

via PBS|

#children #covid-19 #flu-season