Where in the US is the flu surging? These states have the highest tax rates

As the United States faces a wave of winter respiratory illnesses, influenza activity is surging to high levels in nearly every state. A surge in flu cases and hospitalizations after the holidays has strained some hospitals, filling emergency rooms and restricting patient visits.

Seasonal influenza activity remains high in most parts of the country and is expected to continue for several more weeks, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a statement Monday. FluView Weekly Report Week ending January 4th.

According to the , about 43 states are reporting high or very high “outpatient influenza-like illness activity.” CDC's latest data.

“We're in the middle of a national seasonal influenza pandemic that's filling up emergency rooms,” Dr. William Schaffner, professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, told TODAY.com. .

According to the CDC, the majority of cases in the United States are caused by influenza A, primarily H3N2 and H1N1. Influenza A tends to be more aggressive and appear earlier in adults, while influenza B can surge later in the season.

Influenza activity is increasing because the number of infected people is also increasing in this country. norovirus and COVID-19 (new coronavirus infection)similar to respiratory syncytial virus or RSV, some people call it “.quaddemicThese four viruses are expected to surge in the winter, but a surge in respiratory illnesses is keeping doctors and hospitals busy.

Seasonal influenza is a common and highly contagious respiratory disease. According to , influenza activity tends to peak in the United States from December to February. CDC. But experts say the 2025-2025 flu season has started late and has not yet reached its peak.

2025 influenza season

Last year's flu season peaked in late December, but this year's flu season got off to a slow start. Schaffner said flu activity began to spike in early December and has been “increasing” since then.

The CDC estimates at least 9.1 million people have been sickened by the flu this season, with 110,000 hospitalizations and 4,700 deaths so far. This included 16 child deaths, five of which were reported in the first week of January.

As of January 13, the rate of emergency department visits due to influenza is “high” nationwide. According to the CDC. Influenza-related hospitalizations have also spiked in recent weeks and continue to rise, particularly among patients 75 and older.

Wastewater monitoring has also shown a spike in influenza activity. According to Wastewater SCANmonitoring viruses through the city's water system, Influenza A As of January 10th, it is in the “high” category nationwide. Influenza B remains in the “low” category, but the number of positive detections continues to rise, a WastewaterSCAN spokesperson told TODAY.com.

The latest CDC FluView report shows influenza activity has decreased slightly from the previous week ending December 28th. However, this decline peaked after the holidays “and may be due to changes in medical visits and reporting during the holidays, rather than indicating a decline in influenza activity.” the CDC said in its report.

“We have a really long way to go to get through this flu season,” said Dr. David Jantz, director of critical care services at the University of New Orleans Medical Center. today.com. “Hospitalizations due to influenza are not even half as high (as they were last year). …Maybe 25%.”

Experts say it's unclear how the rest of the flu season will play out, and it's too early to tell how its severity will compare with past seasons.

“We're in the middle of a flu season, and it's bad, but we won't know for months whether it's going to be different than usual,” said Jason, chief of infectious diseases at Nationwide Children's Hospital. Dr Newland told TODAY. Com.

The 2023-2024 influenza season was “moderately severe,” causing an estimated 40 million illnesses and 28,000 deaths. According to the CDC. “Last year was a really bad year, with over 200 childhood deaths from influenza,” Newland said.

Where in the United States are influenza cases surging?

As of January 14, the following states are reporting “very high” influenza-like illness activity: According to the latest CDC data:

• Alabama
• arizona
• California
• colorado
• georgia
• Kansas
• idaho
• louisiana
• nebraska
• nevada
• Massachusetts
• new jersey
• new mexico
• ohio
• Oregon
• south carolina
• tennessee
• washington

Some hospitals are feeling strained as the number of influenza patients increases

Every winter, hospitals are filled with respiratory illnesses, and this year is no exception.

Hospital bed occupancy due to influenza has nearly tripled since late December, rising from 1.1% in the week ending December 28 to 2.8% in the week ending January 4, according to the latest data. . CDC's National Healthcare Safety Network.

A sudden spike in influenza activity, along with other respiratory viruses, is straining some hospitals.

Tennessee currently has one of the four states with the highest influenza prevalence in the United States

“My hospital is overcrowded,” said Schaffner, who is based in Nashville. “We have people in emergency rooms on stretchers and stretchers waiting to be admitted, and this is true across the country.”

California has also been hit hard. San Diego in particular has seen a steady increase in influenza cases and hospitalizations, Dr. Francesca Torriani, an infectious disease expert at the University of California, San Diego, told TODAY.com. Compared to this time last year, San Diego County is seeing nearly double the number of flu-related emergency room visits compared to last year.

Similarly, Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center in San Diego has deployed a temporary tent outside its emergency department to triage and treat low-risk patients in response to a high volume of patients with flu symptoms. The hospital sees about 15 to 20 flu patients per day in tents, which frees up ER beds for other health issues, Sharp Healthcare said. told TODAY.com.

Louisiana is also a flu hotspot. Jantz, who works at LCMC Hospital in south Louisiana, said the number of patients hospitalized with the flu and in ICUs has jumped about 30% since December.

“We've been able to handle that influx pretty well,” Jantz said. But a surge in flu-like illnesses could quickly overwhelm hospitals already busy with other patients, he said.

Two hospital systems in Greenville, South Carolina, are imposing visitor restrictions due to rising flu cases. NBC affiliate station WYFF4 previously reported. On Monday, Prisma Health and Bon Secours St. Francis announced they would limit inpatient visits for children under 16 as a safety measure.

Influenza cases are surging to very high levels in Ohio. With increased respiratory syncytial virus and COVID-19 activity, “our hospitals are extremely busy,” said Newland, who works in Columbus. But Newland said this year's flu season is not an outlier, but rather a return to pre-pandemic normal.

Although most hospitalized patients are elderly, the flu strikes people of all ages. In Oregon, another state with high flu activity, two children have died from the flu in recent weeks. NBC affiliate station KGW8 previously reported.

As the influenza pandemic continues, experts have warned that waiting times for emergency medical personnel and bed availability could be affected. “There's a lot of work left to do for this season, but all these hospitals are still at risk,” Jantz said.

flu symptoms

Symptoms of influenza can range from mild to severe. common flu symptoms include:

• body pain
• heat
• cold
• cough
• headache
• fatigue
• sore throat
• stuffy nose

“You may feel sick for a few days, but you can usually get over it by staying home,” Janz says.

Some people are at higher risk of developing serious illness or complications from influenza. According to CDCthese include but are not limited to:

• Adults over 65 years old
• Children under 2 years old
• People with weakened immunity
• People with underlying chronic illnesses
• pregnant woman

influenza treatment

Experts say most people recover from the flu without treatment. Supportive treatments such as rest, hydration, and over-the-counter medications can help manage symptoms.

The CDC recommends: Unless you are seeking medical attention, stay home for at least 24 hours until your fever has subsided. There are anti-influenza virus drugs such as Tamiflu. It requires a prescription and is most effective when taken within 48 hours of symptoms appearing.

Tell your doctor if you are in a high-risk group, feel very unwell, or have concerns about flu season. “They tell you when you can come in and when you can't come in,” Newland said.

In some cases, you may need to go to the emergency room.

“If you have difficulty breathing, become confused, start having a very high fever, or are unable to eat or drink for several days, it is a good idea to seek medical attention,” Jantz says.

How to protect yourself from the flu

It's never too late to get yours Annual influenza vaccinationsay experts. The flu vaccine helps prevent the flu and its complications, which is especially important for high-risk people. The CDC recommends it for everyone 6 months and older.

The flu shot for the 2024-2025 season includes three influenza viruses: two influenza A strains (H1N1 and H3N2) and one influenza B strain. Influenza B can surge late in the flu season, so the flu shot can continue to protect you for several months. TODAY.com previously reported.

In addition to getting a flu shot, you can protect yourself and others by taking the following steps:

• Wash your hands frequently.
• Please stay home if you are sick.
• Avoid contact with illness.
• Wear a mask in crowded indoor spaces.