Influenza season typically spans from October through May each year, affecting people of all ages. Spread by respiratory droplets when an individual speaks, sneezes or coughs, it is important to stay on alert when flu cases are on the rise.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), flu cases reached their highest levels in 15 years in February 2025. Another emerging trend is fewer adults and children are receiving the flu shot each year.
The CDC describes symptoms of the flu as having a fever or chills, cough or sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headache, fatigue, muscle aches and pains, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting.
Dr. George Rust, director of Florida State University’s Center for Medicine and Public Health, is an academic public health expert. He has won numerous awards for his teaching and service and is board-certified in both family practice and preventive medicine. Rust also serves as the medical director for six local county public health departments.
According to Dr. Rust, Florida’s peak flu season tends to occur a bit later in the year, though most cases still happen during winter. He recommends getting a flu shot just before the holiday season for optimal protection.
“In Florida, our flu season will peak a little later than it does up North, but you can still think of mid-December through mid-February as the season when we’ll see the most cases,” Rust said. “It takes two weeks for the flu shot to give full protection, but that protection can wane a bit after many months.
“I would try to get a flu shot October through November, at least two weeks before any family or holiday gatherings.”
Media looking for a flu expert may contact Dr. Rust directly at george.rust@med.fsu.edu.
Dr. George Rust, director of Florida State University’s Center for Medicine and Public Health
What symptoms should make someone consider visiting a doctor instead of treating the flu at home?
If it’s a cold, just stay home. Don’t go to school or work and infect everyone else, even if you think you can power through. If it’s the flu, you may still be able to ride it out if you’re younger and don’t have medical conditions that would make you more vulnerable. You can just take acetaminophen or ibuprofen (avoid aspirin for children or youth) and drink lots of fluids. My mom would have recommended chicken soup, so that’s on my list. But if you have complicating medical conditions that make you more vulnerable to infections or pneumonia, then it’s a good idea to at least call your physician’s office. They might recommend coming in the office for a rapid flu test, or they may want to prescribe an anti-viral treatment like oseltamivir, often sold as Tamiflu. Antiviral treatments work best for flu when you start within the first 48 hours of symptoms, so don’t wait.
If you do try to just take care of yourself at home, you should call your doctor or get checked out if you begin having trouble breathing, chest pain, dizziness or clouded thinking, or if you have signs of dehydration like not producing urine for more than 3-4 hours. Or if you were getting better, and then suddenly fever and cough or shortness of breath return; that could be a secondary pneumonia.
How do I know if I have the flu?
The first question for most people is, “Do I just have a cold, or is it the flu (or something else)?” A cold may have a lot of sneezing, runny nose, cough and even a mild fever. Influenza (flu) will typically make people feel worse. There may still be cough or runny nose, but people feel achy all over and so tired they don’t want to get out of bed. They have a cough and often higher fevers. The CDC has a nice table comparing colds vs flu on their website.
What healthy daily habits can help strengthen the immune system and lower the risk of getting the flu?
First, get the flu shot every year. It really is your best protection. There’s nothing better than eating healthy, exercising regularly, getting good sleep, and building your stress capacity (through meditation, music, yoga, nature walks, etc.). Take care of yourself. Also, be disciplined about washing your hands frequently, especially after being with other people. You may want to carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer. If your immune system is suppressed from cancer therapy or other conditions, you may want to limit exposure to holiday gatherings. If you have to go, protect yourself with a well-fitted N-95 mask.
Is there a way for individuals to tell the difference between flu symptoms and other seasonal illnesses like COVID-19 or a common cold?
To distinguish COVID from flu, there are rapid diagnostic tests that can be run on a nasal swab or throat swab. Some doctors’ offices do these routinely, while others rely just on the clinician’s clinical judgment.