Here’s how to navigate an ‘average’ flu season
A Carolina expert recommends vaccines to prevent illness and, if sick, starting treatment within the first 48 hours.
What’s new:
Dr. David J. Weber, UNC Medical Center’s medical director for infection prevention, expects an average flu and cold season. He saw a typical post-holiday surge from late December into early January locally and nationally in cases of flu, COVID-19 and RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus.
By the numbers:
- Positive flu tests for UNC Hospitals have steadily increased since early December. Flu usually peaks in North Carolina mid-to-late February, Weber said.
- Walking pneumonia cases have decreased in January since a surge from Thanksgiving through around Christmas, according to UNC Medical Center reports.
What to know:
Winter conditions help viruses thrive:
- Cooler temperatures and low humidity preserve viruses.
- Indoor gatherings increase transmission.
- Heated air dries out mucus membranes, making people more susceptible.
Weber says vaccinations are the first line of defense and advises:
- Flu and COVID-19 shots for everyone over 6 months old
- RSV vaccine for those over 75 or ages 60–75 with risk factors like diabetes or heart disease.
- For pregnant individuals, all three vaccines to protect both mother and baby.
Consider this:
- Wear a mask indoors in crowded places, especially in airports, on planes and public transportation.
- Stay home if sick to avoid spreading illness.
What they’re saying:
“For flu, you only have 48 hours from the start of symptoms to begin antiviral treatment. Don’t wait — it could close the window for effective care,” Weber said. He is president of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America and the Charles Addison and Elizabeth Ann Sanders Distinguished Professor of Medicine in the UNC School of Medicine.
