Flu Season: What's in Store for Us This Year?

The flu is back, and it's not playing nice. After a tough flu season last year, health experts are keeping a close eye on things. In the U. K. , flu cases are popping up early, especially among kids and young adults. Over in Japan, the flu has hit so hard that schools have had to close. So, what does this mean for the U. S. ? Normally, flu cases start climbing in November, along with other respiratory bugs like RSV. But this year, things might be different. The CDC, which usually tracks the flu, is facing some challenges. This could make it harder to know just how bad the flu is spreading. Last year's flu season was no joke. There were over a million hospitalizations and a lot of doctor visits. Sadly, 280 children died from the flu, making it one of the deadliest years on record. Even after the typical flu season, some kids still lost their lives to the virus. Predicting the flu is tricky business. The CDC thinks this year might be a bit easier than last year, but that doesn't mean we're out of the woods. The main flu strains circulating now are similar to last year's troublemakers: H1N1, H3N2, and flu B. If these strains stick around, we could be in for another rough ride. Getting vaccinated is still the best way to protect ourselves. Even if you had the flu last year, you're not safe this year. Immunity doesn't last forever, especially for older folks and those with weakened immune systems. But there's a catch. Fewer kids are getting vaccinated these days. Last season, less than half of kids got their flu shots. This year, that number might drop even more. Experts say this could make the flu spread even more. So, when's the best time to get the flu shot? October is the sweet spot. Getting vaccinated then should give you protection through the worst of the flu season, which usually ends in March.