The United States is experiencing its most intense flu season in 15 years, with federal health officials investigating whether it has led to a rise in rare but life-threatening brain complications in children.

Flu Deaths and Rising Concerns

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 19,000 people have died from the flu this winter, including 86 children. Among those child deaths, at least nine experienced serious brain complications. The CDC has now asked state health departments to help determine if there are more such cases.

Flu Shot Effectiveness: Some Good News

Despite the severity of this flu season, flu shots have been effective in preventing hospitalizations. According to preliminary CDC data:

• Vaccinated children were 64% to 78% less likely to be hospitalized.
• Vaccinated adults were 41% to 55% less likely to be hospitalized.

Although flu shots do not always prevent infection, they play a crucial role in reducing severe illness and death. “The vaccine’s main role is to keep you out of the hospital and to keep you alive,” said Dr. William Schaffner, a vaccine expert at Vanderbilt University.

Still, it’s not too late to get vaccinated.
“If you haven’t gotten your flu shot yet, get it because we’re still seeing high flu circulation in most of the country,” urged Dr. Sean O’Leary of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Brain Complications in Children: What to Watch For

Health officials have warned doctors to be on alert for children with flu symptoms who also experience:

• Seizures
• Hallucinations
• Other neurological symptoms

These signs may indicate influenza-associated encephalopathy or encephalitis, including a more severe subtype called acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE). Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain and can lead to long-term neurological issues.

The CDC’s analysis of 1,840 child flu deaths since 2010 found that 166 cases involved neurological complications—most in unvaccinated children. However, it is still unclear whether this season’s cases represent an increase in frequency.

Dr. Keith Van Haren of Stanford Medicine Children’s Health has tracked about 15 severe flu-related encephalopathy cases across the country, with additional suspected cases under review.

What Parents Need to Know

While these complications are rare, parents should seek immediate medical attention if a child with the flu shows:

• Labored breathing
• Unusual behavior or confusion
• Seizures or persistent high fever

“Doctors typically see more neurological complications in severe flu seasons, possibly linked to specific influenza strains,” said Dr. O’Leary. Survivors of these complications may experience long-term seizures or other neurological issues.

Uncertainty Over Next Season’s Flu Vaccine

Meanwhile, vaccine manufacturers are already preparing next winter’s flu shots. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) abruptly canceled a key meeting scheduled for March 13, where experts were supposed to decide on the vaccine’s composition.

Dr. O’Leary emphasized the importance of transparency in vaccine decision-making:
“We have historically worked really hard to get transparency around all of these vaccine discussions.”

The FDA will still make its recommendations in time for manufacturers to produce updated vaccines for the 2025-2026 flu season, according to Andrew Nixon, communications director for the Department of Health and Human Services.

Takeaway: Stay Protected

• Flu vaccines remain the best defense against severe illness and complications.
• Parents should be aware of potential neurological symptoms in children with the flu.
• Despite the uncertainty, next season’s flu vaccine is still in development.

This flu season continues to be severe, but vaccination remains a key tool in protecting both children and adults.

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The U.S. is experiencing one of the most intense flu seasons in at least 15 years, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Flu activity has surged, with a significant rise in doctor’s office visits for flu-like symptoms, making this winter virus season the most severe since the 2009-2010 swine flu pandemic.

Flu Activity Surges Nationwide

The CDC tracks flu activity by monitoring the percentage of doctor’s office visits related to flu-like symptoms. Last week, the numbers exceeded the peak flu seasons of recent years, including the 2009 swine flu outbreak. This suggests an exceptionally high level of flu transmission across the country. While other respiratory illnesses, such as COVID-19 and RSV, can have similar symptoms, current data indicates that COVID-19 cases are on the decline, and RSV cases are also tapering off.

However, the flu remains a major concern, and its impact is being felt across various states. In some regions, the flu has been so severe that it has forced schools to close. For example, in the Godley Independent School District near Fort Worth, Texas, 650 students and 60 staff members were absent due to illness, prompting the district to close for three days. District spokesperson Jeff Meador called it “the worst flu season he could remember,” noting that the vast majority of illnesses were due to the flu, along with some cases of strep throat.

Flu Stats: 24 Million Cases, 310,000 Hospitalizations, 13,000 Deaths

So far this flu season, the CDC estimates that at least 24 million people have contracted the flu, resulting in 310,000 hospitalizations and 13,000 deaths, including 57 children. Traditionally, flu season peaks around February, and officials are bracing for more cases in the coming weeks. Last week, 43 states reported high or very high levels of flu activity, with the South, Southwest, and Western regions being hit the hardest.

A Nationwide Respiratory Surge

In Rochester, New York, Dr. Elizabeth Murray, a pediatric emergency medicine doctor at the University of Rochester Medical Center, noted that while the flu season is intense, it is not necessarily worse than previous peak seasons. However, she emphasized that other respiratory illnesses, including RSV and COVID-19, are still prevalent. “All of the respiratory illnesses are around, with a vengeance,” she added.

Vaccine Uptake and Flu Strains

Despite the severity of the flu season, flu vaccination rates have remained relatively stable. Around 44% of adults and 45% of children have received their flu shots this winter, compared to 44% and 50%, respectively, last year. Health officials strongly recommend that everyone 6 months and older get vaccinated annually to reduce the severity of illness.

As for the effectiveness of the current flu vaccine, the CDC has not yet released detailed reports on how well it’s working this season. Testing results show that two primary strains of flu, Type A H1N1 and Type A H3N2, are responsible for most of the illnesses. The CDC is also closely monitoring Type A H5N1, a bird flu strain that has infected tens of millions of animals worldwide. While it has only infected 67 people in the U.S., officials are keeping a close watch due to its potential for further spread.

How to Protect Yourself from Seasonal Viruses

To avoid getting sick this flu season, doctors recommend taking basic precautions to limit exposure to germs. These include:

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, as germs can spread easily that way.
• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, especially after touching surfaces in public places.
• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces like doorknobs, light switches, and remote controls.
• Avoid close contact with sick individuals to prevent the spread of illness.

Conclusion

This flu season is proving to be one of the most intense in recent history, with flu cases at alarming levels across the country. Health officials urge the public to take preventative measures, get vaccinated, and be mindful of the other respiratory illnesses circulating this winter. As flu season continues, the CDC will monitor trends closely and provide updates on the effectiveness of the vaccine and the spread of various viral strains.

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