Flu season rises in US

Flu incidence spiked during last year’s flu season: from late December 2024 to early February 2025, doctor visits for flu symptoms and flu-related hospitalizations reached a 15-year high and infected over 30 million Americans.

As we are on the brink of flu season, it is important to understand its effects. Of the four types of the virus, Influenza A is currently most common. Its two subtypes, H1N1 and H3N2, tend to spread faster and prove to be the most intense. While making up a small percentage of flu cases, Influenza B is also on the rise.

Such hikes have strained several hospitals, with hospital bed occupancy increasing according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. States reporting extremely high flu-like illness activity in February span across the U.S., including parts of the Midwest, Northeast, South and West.

Maryland specifically experienced a significant uptick in flu cases this past February. The Chief of Infectious Diseases at the Adventist Healthcare White Oak Medical Center, Dr. Andy Catanzaro, stated that “One in ten emergency room visits are related to flu-like illnesses. Since November 2024, more than 3,000 Maryland residents have been hospitalized because of respiratory viruses.”

Students also noticed this surge. Sherwood High School senior Soumya Sukhadia said that, “[I have] noticed a lot more of my family members (including extended family) getting sick or not feeling well.”

Officials encourage anyone six months or older to get vaccinated, noting that the flu season can persist until late May. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has further stressed the importance of being vaccinated every year, as new vaccines are developed yearly to protect against strains predicted to be dominant during that season.

While the vaccines are a “good match” to this season’s influenza mutations, per Montefiore Health System Dr. Inessa Gendlina, flu vaccination rates have been dropping since the COVID-19 pandemic. Together with these genetic changes, the reduction in vaccination rates has played a role in the influx of new cases. 

While vaccination is a valuable defense, public health experts also emphasize other protective measures. Regular hand washing and wearing a mask in public can slow flu transmission.

With the rates of transmission high in local school and work environments, many students have been doing their part to stay healthy, from getting vaccinated to practicing good hygiene. “I got my flu shot a couple months ago and make sure to sanitize my hands,” Sherwood senior Megan Carranza said.

As the flu virus continues to evolve this season, scientists have already begun studying its changes to formulate an effective vaccine for the next season’s prominent strains. Experts have emphasized that vaccination, good hygiene and masks, as well as raising awareness about preventative measures, are important in protecting both individuals and communities.

Written by Nisha Khatri

Photo courtesy Creative Commons and Kristine Cook