Influenza

Feb. 12, 2026 | Influenza continues to be a concern throughout the United States, with over 230,000 hospitalizations and 9,300 deaths in the country so far since the beginning of flu season in October, according to the most recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statistics. Seasonal influenza, or flu, is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that primarily infect the nose, throat and lungs but can affect the entire human body. There are multiple types of influenza viruses in animals, but Influenza A and Influenza B are the two types that cause annual outbreaks in people. Influenza is especially dangerous for people 65 years and older, young children and people with certain health conditions, such as heart disease or asthma. The last influenza pandemic occurred in 2009 with the emergence of the H1N1 influenza virus, which was responsible for more than 150,000 deaths worldwide.

Feb. 12, 2026 | The viruses that cause flu spread at high levels, generally during fall and winter, in the Northern and Southern hemispheres. These are called flu seasons. In North America, flu season usually runs between October and May. The symptoms of the flu, such as fever and a sore throat and a runny or stuffy nose, are common. You may also get these symptoms with other illness such as a cold. But colds tend to start slowly, and the flu tends to strike quickly, within two or three days after you come in contact with the virus. And while a cold can be miserable, you usually feel much worse with the flu. Other symptoms that commonly occur with the flu include cough, body aches and chills. Older adults may have confusion alone, and small children may show these symptoms or may just be fussy or irritable. Children also are more likely than adults to have ear pain, vomit or have diarrhea with the flu.

Feb. 12, 2026 | Many healthy people who get the flu can manage it at home and often don’t need to see a physician. However, Dr. Robert Hopkins, a professor of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at UAMS, says that persons who have chronic health conditions or are at the extremes of age are at higher risk for complications from flu and should contact a health care professional right away if they develop flu symptoms. Making the diagnosis and starting antiviral medicine as early as possible after your symptoms begin may shorten the length of your illness and help prevent more-serious problems. For adults, emergency symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain, confusion, dizziness and dehydration. Dr. Hopkins says that persons who have a fever or cough that gets better but then worsens or comes back may have a bacterial infection complicating the flu and need to be checked by a health care professional.

Feb. 12, 2026 | The flu, common colds and other virus illnesses can have similar symptoms, like a runny nose and a cough. But cold symptoms are usually mild, and flu symptoms generally are more severe with fever and body aches. Antiviral medicines are important tools in both controlling influenza symptoms and helping to prevent complications that can result from having the flu. When taken promptly, antiviral drugs can reduce the severity of the flu’s worst symptoms and can shorten the length of the illness by an average of one day. Taking antiviral drugs early is especially important for people who are at high risk for flu complications, such as the elderly. Currently, there are four antiviral drugs recommended for treating the flu. These drugs can treat cases of both influenza A and B and have the biggest impact when taken within 48 hours of the onset of flu symptoms, so rapid diagnosis and treatment are both very important.

Feb. 12, 2026 | The best tool to reduce your risk for getting the flu is to get vaccinated each year. Many people can manage the symptoms of the flu at home with over-the-counter fever-reducers, getting plenty of rest and drinking fluids like water or broth to help prevent dehydration. Heat packs or hot water bottles can help with aching muscles while non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen or naproxen sodium can help lower fever and relieve head and body aches. Using spray or oral decongestants like phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine can help with a runny or stuffy nose and cough suppressants like dextromethorphan can help calm a nagging cough. Not everyone should take certain over-the-counter drugs, so it is important to check with your physician before you use them. It’s also a good idea to make sure certain medications are okay to use together or with your routine medications or supplements.