flu season

Nurse Nicole Simpson prepares a flu shot at the Salvation Army in Atlanta

Health & Safety

Experts advise flu shots for upcoming season

3:13pm September 23, 2022

by David Ford

It’s the beginning of flu season. Experts say September and October are ideal months for flu shots.

Health officials are predicting this winter could see an active flu season on top of potential COVID surges. In short, it's a good year to be a respiratory virus. Left: Image of SARS-CoV-2 omicron virus particles (pink) replicating within an infected cell (teal). Right: Image of an inactive H3N2 influenza virus.

Health & Safety

Flu is expected to flare up in U.S. this winter, raising fears of a 'twindemic'

1:13pm September 23, 2022

by Rob Stein

After virtually disappearing for the last two years, there are troubling clues that the flu could come roaring back this year, to cause trouble alongside COVID.

Queue Listen Now

There's another shot doctors are advising you get this winter — the flu vaccine. We tackle questions about this flu season and why the vaccine is important as people head back into workplaces and kids return to school.

It's Time For A Flu Shot. Here's What You Need To Know

12:22pm September 07, 2021

by Fran Kritz

With all the talk about COVID-19 vaccines and boosters, it's easy to forget that there's another respiratory virus poised to strike. We tackle questions about why a flu vaccine matters now.

People wait for a flu vaccine in May in Manaus, Brazil. The flu season had a surprisingly low count of influenza cases in the Southern Hemisphere, and researchers are trying to figure out the role coronavirus precautions might have played.

From Southern Hemisphere, Hints That U.S. May Be Spared Flu On Top Of COVID-19

7:11pm August 26, 2020

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

So far this year, flu infections are way down in the Southern Hemisphere. Scientists want to know why — and what it means for the Northern Hemisphere as their flu season looms.

Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is calling on Americans to do their part to contain the coronavirus as flu season comes into view.

CDC Director Warns This Fall Could Be The Worst Ever For Public Health

8:41pm August 13, 2020

by Rachel Treisman

In an interview with WebMD, CDC Director Robert Redfield warned of the dual threat of the coronavirus and flu season. He urged Americans to follow COVID-19 health guidance and get the flu vaccine.

Health & Safety

Flu-Associated Deaths Reach 95 In North Carolina

5:03pm February 05, 2018

by Bethany Chafin

The number of flu-related deaths continues to rise in North Carolina.

The Liberian Elbow Bump Is Your Good Friend During Flu Season

7:00am February 03, 2018

by Marc Silver

With this flu season in the U.S. described as "severe," is high-fiving a no-no? How do we keep those flu germs at bay?

A doctor and nurse confer inside a room used for flu patients at Northside Hospital in Cumming, Ga. The U.S. government's latest flu report, released Friday, showed flu season continued to intensify, with high volumes of flu-related patient traffic in 42

CDC: Flu Season Getting Even Worse, Especially For Children

3:35pm February 02, 2018

by Richard Harris

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, flu hospitalizations are the highest since the CDC started tracking those numbers, and we may only be halfway through the season.

Flu Season Rages On, Hitting Baby Boomers Unusually Hard

2:52pm January 26, 2018

Flu is widespread throughout the country, according to latest federal numbers. Those 65 and older are the most affected, but baby boomers are ending up in the hospital at an unusually high rate.

Health & Safety

Heading Into Peak Season, Flu-Related Deaths Reach 20 In North Carolina

5:00am January 05, 2018

by Bethany Chafin

Flu-associated deaths in North Carolina have now reached 20 since the season began.