In this holiday season, germs spread more easily, especially when people spend more time indoors together. So, flu season is more serious than usual. Why? Because now it’s when people gather with their families and friends, enjoy meals, and spend time together. This is why, this year, health officials are warning about the flu. So, let’s see what they are saying and what we should do to avoid it.
Flu cases in the country
According to the CDC, an increment of flu cases has been detected in different areas of the U.S. This means that more people are getting sick during this season.
What’s more, health officials have also identified a new variant of the flu virus, called Subclade K. According to reports, this strain is causing stronger symptoms in some patients. The increase in cases is happening at the same time as the holiday season, when families gather more often, which can make it easier for illnesses like the flu to spread from person to person.
What doctors are saying
Today, we are going to tell you what Dr. Nader Rahbe, who works at a pharmacy in the area of Chattanooga, says. Even though he has been seeing patients for 5 years in that area, he has decades of experience observing how flu behaves each season.
Dr. Rahbe explains that he is seeing more patients than usual with severe flu symptoms. He says that when someone gets the flu, the body goes through several difficult changes. These include:
- Developing a fever
- Losing fluids by sweating
- Feeling very weak
- Experiencing muscle aches
- Feeling dizzy
- Suffering from extreme exhaustion
A real-life example
To show how this new variant may affect people, let’s explain the story of Carolyn Rice and her 87-year-old father, who lives in a nursing home.
Rice says her father has contracted the new variant and is very sick. When she speaks to him on the phone, she notices that he does not sound like himself, which deeply worries her. Although he does not have a fever, he has been having trouble sleeping, which is another sign that his body is struggling.
Rice also mentions that, according to her father, there have been some deaths linked to this flu variant in the nursing home. This example highlights how this winter illness can be especially dangerous for older adults, even if they do not show all the usual symptoms.
Recommendations
Dr. Rahbe offers some simple tips for people during the flu season. These recommendations are mainly focused to help our bodies when it’s sick:
- Take Vitamin C and Zinc daily to help support the immune system
- Drink plenty of fluids when sick
- Choose drinks like Gatorade, which contain electrolytes
According to Dr. Rahbe, electrolytes help replace important minerals that the body loses when someone has a fever, sweats a lot, or feels weak from this winter illness. Staying hydrated is especially important during illness.
Be kind
Apart from doctors’ advice, Carolyn Rice shares a more human and emotional message. She reminds us that during this time of the year, especially when more people are sick, it’s important to be kind to others.
She suggests showing compassion toward neighbors and others in the community. Her message is that kindness matters not only during flu season, but all year long.
So…
If you or someone close to you begins to feel weak, exhausted, or unwell, simple steps like staying hydrated and supporting the body can make a difference. Just as important, this season is a reminder to be patient and kind—with family members, neighbors, and especially those who may be more vulnerable.
By staying informed and showing care for others, you can help make this flu season a little easier for yourself and for the people around you.