Five things to know about flu season

Influenza is back after a two-year break, a fact that’s made even more complicated by the still-spreading coronavirus. Here’s what you need to know about the impending flu season:

Experts say it’ll likely be pretty bad

While it’s tricky for scientists to predict just how severe a flu season will be, U.S. scientists can look to countries in Earth’s southern hemisphere for clues. Australia is emerging from its worst flu season in five years, which is bad news for countries heading into the winter season.

The flu looks a whole lot like COVID-19

The flu, COVID-19 and even the common cold share most of the same symptoms, including congestion, cough, a sore throat and body aches. The only way to tell the difference between circulating viral infections is by getting tested for each illness. And, regardless of what virus you have, doctors recommend you stay home if possible.

There could be a “twindemic”

Experts anticipate a spike in COVID-19 cases around the same time as a spike in flu cases. If that happens, hospitals will be fighting the viruses simultaneously for the first time, a worrying thought for health systems that are just now recovering from the omicron wave earlier this year.

Some groups are more at-risk from the flu than others

No one feels good when they have the flu, but some groups can experience serious complications from the virus. Infants and the elderly, in particular, can suffer from severe illness or even death from the flu.

The flu shot is available now

One of the best ways to protect against the flu, other than through practicing good health hygiene, is to get vaccinated, doctors say. The flu shot is now available and it can be administered at the same time as a COVID-19 dose.