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Flu activity as tracked by CDC indicates that the 2024-25 flu season is well underway. The National Center for Disease Control continues to recommend that everyone six months and older get a flu vaccine if they have yet not done so this season.

Nationally, the percent of respiratory specimens testing positive for influenza virus, the percentage of emergency department visits for flu, the percentage of outpatient visits for respiratory illness, and flu-related hospitalizations increased this week compared to last week. This week, the percent of respiratory specimens testing positive for influenza virus (percent positivity) is at 9% nationally and increasing in all regions of Tennessee.

Flu vaccines vary in how well they work from season to season, but during seasons when vaccine viruses are similar to circulating viruses, vaccination has been shown to reduce the risk of flu illness by 40 percent and to reduce the risk of flu-related hospitalization by 60 percent. Flu vaccine effectiveness also can vary depending on what influenza viruses are spreading. Protection against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and influenza B viruses is usually higher than protection against influenza A(H3N2) viruses. 

Flu activity typically starts to increase in October, peaks between December and February, and then begins to decline through April and early May. Flu viruses tend to thrive in the cold, dry conditions of winter. The decrease in temperatures may also affect bacteria-fighting cells in the nose, reducing the power of our immune system to fight the flu and colds.

With COVID and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) also in circulation with flu, protecting your health during the fall and winter has become more challenging.

The bottom line: Make a plan for flu prevention. While the flu season may be similar to or milder than last season’s, flu can be a serious threat to your health. Getting a seasonal flu vaccination every year is the best way to prevent flu and its potentially severe complications. Although the CDC recommends getting a seasonal flu shot before the end of October, it’s not too late to get your flu shot; as long as flu is circulating, vaccination provides protection. It generally takes about two weeks to build up sufficient flu antibodies. If you have questions about flu vaccination, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about it.

Besides getting vaccinated, even everyday actions can make a difference in helping to protect you against flu and other respiratory viruses. These actions include simple things such as avoiding close contact with sick people, staying at home when you’re sick, covering coughs or sneezes, and washing your hands often. Also, wearing masks in crowded spaces and maintaining social distances are key.

However, vaccination remains our best defense. You can find the vaccines at pharmacies, clinics, and hospitals. Most are covered by health insurance. Health officials say there are sufficient supplies for both the flu and COVID-19 vaccines.

Most people who get the flu will not need medical care or antiviral medication. However, if you develop symptoms of the flu and are at higher risk for serious complications from the flu – or if you become very sick or concerned about your symptoms – call your healthcare provider.

For most people who are hit with the influenza virus, they’ll have fevers, cough, runny nose and muscle pain for a few days, and then recover. However, one of the main reasons your primary care provider recommends the flu vaccine every year is because of the flu’s potential for terrible complications, especially when it spreads to the very young or elderly.