Why is This Year’s Flu Season So Severe? What You Need to Know

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Flu season is hitting hard this year, and it’s unlike anything we’ve seen in the past few years. After a moderate flu season last year, the 2024-25 flu season has arrived with a vengeance. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports a surge, estimating that the flu has killed between 16,000 and 79,000 people since October, hospitalized up to 820,000, and infected between 29 million and 51 million people. With these numbers, it’s no surprise that this is being called the most severe flu season in the U.S. in the past 15 years. 

So, what makes this flu season stand out? Let’s dive in. 

  1. High Severity Across All Ages: For the first time since 2017-18, the CDC has classified this season as high severity for every age group. The flu virus has been spreading rapidly, leading to high levels of outpatient visits and emergency department visits across the country. In fact, flu-related visits to emergency departments jumped nearly 30% from one week to the next, with flu patients now accounting for 5% of all occupied hospital beds nationwide.
  2. More Deaths from Flu than COVID-19: This flu season has reached a grim milestone: more people in the U.S. have died from the flu than from COVID-19 in the week ending January 25th. For the first time since the pandemic, flu deaths have outpaced COVID-19 deaths, making up 2.6% of all deaths in the most recent week.
  3. Flu Hospitalizations Surpass COVID-19: Flu hospitalizations have also surpassed those for COVID-19. As of February 8th, the cumulative flu hospitalization rate hit 78.1 per 100,000 — the highest figure seen for this time of year since the 2010-11 season. With over 24,000 flu-related hospitalizations in just one week, hospitals and their staffs are overwhelmed and stretched thin.
  4. The Culprit: Flu Strains: Two strains of the flu, H1N1 and H3N2, have taken center stage this season. These type A strains are typically more severe, with H1N1 even being responsible for the 1918 flu pandemic. While the current flu vaccine was designed to protect against these strains, its effectiveness has been somewhat lower than expected.
  5. Low Vaccination Rates: A key factor contributing to this season’s severity is low vaccination rates. Only about 45% of U.S. adults and children have received their flu shots this year — well below the CDC’s goal of 70%. Misinformation and pandemic fatigue may be fueling vaccine hesitancy, leaving many vulnerable to infection.
  6. Immunity Gaps and COVID-19 Precautions: The COVID-19 pandemic led to a decrease in flu cases, but it may have also weakened our immunity over time. Experts suggest that the lack of widespread flu exposure during the pandemic has left the population less prepared for this season’s surge.
  7. Quadruple Threat: Flu, RSV, Norovirus, and COVID-19: This flu season is complicated by other viruses like RSV, COVID-19, and norovirus. The combination of these illnesses has placed an additional strain on hospitals, creating a perfect storm for healthcare systems already struggling with high flu numbers.

With flu activity still widespread, it’s crucial to take precautions and stay informed. Flu season may be severe this year, but with the right actions, we can mitigate its impact. Stay safe and consider getting vaccinated if you haven’t already. 

During flu season, especially this year, it is important to stay vigilant. One way to stay ahead of the flu is to monitor your temperature and take it twice a day for an elevated body temperature – fever. Fever is an indicator of infection and signals the early stages of infection. When you check your temperature use a thermometer like Exergen’s Temporal Artery Thermometer it is easy to use, non-invasive, and provides clinically accurate readings with a simple forehead scan. Early detection of fever allows for prompt medical attention and the initiation of antiviral treatments, which can impact the severity of the flu. 

Sources,  

EXERGEN P/N 850393, Rev 1