Experts Warn Flu Season Isn’t Over Yet
Health experts are advising that the flu season for 2025-26 is far from finished. Dr. Michael Glazier, a chief medical officer and pediatrician at Bluebird Kids Health in Florida, emphasizes that the virus could stick around well into warmer months.
Dr. Glazier explained that this flu season is following a familiar pattern. Typically, influenza A hits first and hardest. “This year, influenza A cases have shown up earlier in the season, accounting for most illnesses,” he shared.
As we move into February, cases of influenza B are beginning to appear alongside the ongoing issues from influenza A. This is a typical scenario and is likely to continue into spring, according to Dr. Glazier.
While the timing aligns with past trends, the intensity of this season is concerning. A new variant of influenza A, labeled Subclade K, is proving to be challenging. Dr. Glazier noted that people have little immunity against this new strain, especially because vaccination rates have dropped recently.
Recent evaluations show that this flu season is higher in severity than expected, particularly for children. Tragically, around 60 pediatric deaths have already been reported due to this strain.
Dr. Glazier insists that it’s still a good time to get vaccinated against the flu. “Even if you’ve had influenza A already, there’s still a chance you could catch influenza B,” he cautioned. Vaccination remains the best way to lessen both the severity and duration of illness, even if the vaccine isn’t a perfect match for the circulating strains.
Identifying the flu is crucial, as its symptoms differ from spring allergies. The flu typically comes with a high fever, chills, body aches, night sweats, headaches, and stomach issues, none of which are common with allergies.
Dr. Glazier also warns parents to pay attention to any persistent fevers, especially those that don’t respond to medication. He highlights the importance of keeping children hydrated, as they can become dehydrated more easily than adults when they’re sick.
To help strengthen the body’s defenses against viruses, he recommends getting enough rest, maintaining hand hygiene, staying hydrated, and eating well.
