Flu cases are beginning to rise after a slow start to the season, with respiratory illnesses increasing nationwide in the week ending Dec. 14, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Flu activity typically peaks between December and March and can linger into May. While there’s no distinct peak season for COVID-19, cases spiked in late December of last year into early January 2024.

Here’s a breakdown of the most recent trends for the flu, COVID, and RSV.

Influenza

For the week ending Dec. 14, clinical laboratories tested 86,686 specimens for flu viruses. Of these, 9% were positive,a significant increase from 2.5% in late November. Among the positive results, influenza A accounted for 7,518 (96%) of positive flu cases, and influenza B accounted for 313 (4%).

The CDC tracks flu activity using reports of doctor’s visits forflu-like illnesses—symptoms such as fever combined with a cough or sore throat—rather than confirmed cases of influenza. This approach means the data may include other respiratory illnesses like RSV or the common cold.

The CDC is also tracking human infections with bird flu. While thefirst severe human infection of bird flu was reported in an older adultrecently, the CDC said there’s no change to the agency’s assessment of immediate risk to public health.

COVID-19

For the week ending on Dec. 14, the test positivity rate was 5.6%, up slightly from 5.1% the week prior. Emergency room visits with a positive COVID diagnosis remained steady at 0.7%. Hospitalization rates were down slightly from 1.7 per 100,000 the week before to 1.6 per 100,000.

For the most current COVID case counts in your area, check with your local health department.

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Does the CDC Track Vaccination Rates?

The CDC providesestimates for how many people in the U.S. have received COVID vaccines, including booster doses. Your state’s public health department may also be tracking COVID vaccinations.

As of December 7, the CDC reports that around 21% of adults in the U.S. reported having gotten a COVID vaccine for the 2024-2025 season. An additional 9.5% report that they will definitely get vaccinated. Around 10% of children have received the COVID shot so far this year, with an additional 9.4% of caregivers stating that they intend to get their child vaccinated.

Can You Get a Flu Shot and COVID Vaccine at the Same Time?The CDC recommends getting both the annual flu shot and the updated COVID vaccine. You can safely receiveboth shots at the same timeor on separate days.If you get both vaccines on the same day, the CDC says it’s OK toget both injections in the same armas long as they’re administered about 1 inch apart. However, since some flu shots can make your arm sore, your provider may suggest getting the shots in different arms to minimize discomfort.

Can You Get a Flu Shot and COVID Vaccine at the Same Time?

The CDC recommends getting both the annual flu shot and the updated COVID vaccine. You can safely receiveboth shots at the same timeor on separate days.If you get both vaccines on the same day, the CDC says it’s OK toget both injections in the same armas long as they’re administered about 1 inch apart. However, since some flu shots can make your arm sore, your provider may suggest getting the shots in different arms to minimize discomfort.

The CDC recommends getting both the annual flu shot and the updated COVID vaccine. You can safely receiveboth shots at the same timeor on separate days.

If you get both vaccines on the same day, the CDC says it’s OK toget both injections in the same armas long as they’re administered about 1 inch apart. However, since some flu shots can make your arm sore, your provider may suggest getting the shots in different arms to minimize discomfort.

RSV

As of Dec. 23, the CDC’sRespiratory Illness Data Channelreports that RSV activity is high and increasing throughout most of the U.S., particularly among young children—a group highly vulnerable to severe RSV infections. The number of emergency room visits for RSV is high and rising.

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Are People Getting the RSV Vaccine?

The CDC also tracks RSVvaccination data. So far this year, the uptake of RSV vaccine among eligible people has been low.

The RSV vaccine is recommended for all adults ages 75 and older. Those ages 60 to 74 who are at high risk for severe RSV are also recommended to get the shot. Older adults face an especially high risk of RSV and its complications, but getting vaccinated can reduce the risk.

As of Dec. 7, about 42% of adults 75 and older reported having ever received the RSV shot, while 7% said they “definitely” plan to get vaccinated. Among adults aged 60–74 with high-risk conditions, about 33% reported having ever received the RSV vaccine, and 9.8% said they plan on getting vaccinated.

Frequently Asked Questions

The CDC tracks “influenza-like illness” (ILI) activity levels in each state and presents aweekly flu surveillance report. ILI activity levels are defined as the following:

Data on ILI activity can give you a sense of how many people have respiratory symptoms in your state.If the ILI activity level where you live is high, it can be a sign that the flu is “going around” in your community. You can take preventive steps, such aswashing your hands frequentlyand getting a flu shot, to help reduce your risk of getting sick.If you haveflu-like symptoms, call your provider to see if you should have a test. They might want you to take antiviral medications such asTamifluto help reduce your symptoms. While you are sick, wear a mask and stay at home to help keep other people from catching the flu from you.

Data on ILI activity can give you a sense of how many people have respiratory symptoms in your state.

If the ILI activity level where you live is high, it can be a sign that the flu is “going around” in your community. You can take preventive steps, such aswashing your hands frequentlyand getting a flu shot, to help reduce your risk of getting sick.

If you haveflu-like symptoms, call your provider to see if you should have a test. They might want you to take antiviral medications such asTamifluto help reduce your symptoms. While you are sick, wear a mask and stay at home to help keep other people from catching the flu from you.

Influenza patterns depend onthe specific flu virus strainsthat are circulating in a given year and human behavior. For example, some of the measures adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic—such as mask-wearing and social distancing—slowed down the flu spread during those years.Another factor that affects flu patterns is vaccination.Annual flu vaccinesare a safe and effective way to help curb the spread of the flu and prevent hospitalizations and deaths.Vaccines are a key public health recommendation because they help protect high-risk people, such as young children, older adults, and people with weak immune systems—from the serious complications that can come with a case of the flu.

Influenza patterns depend onthe specific flu virus strainsthat are circulating in a given year and human behavior. For example, some of the measures adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic—such as mask-wearing and social distancing—slowed down the flu spread during those years.

Another factor that affects flu patterns is vaccination.Annual flu vaccinesare a safe and effective way to help curb the spread of the flu and prevent hospitalizations and deaths.Vaccines are a key public health recommendation because they help protect high-risk people, such as young children, older adults, and people with weak immune systems—from the serious complications that can come with a case of the flu.

New variants of the COVID virusare always emerging, as it’s natural for viruses to change over time. Researchers follow new variants closely to see if the changes in the viruses may make them more of a threat. For example, they might become better at spreading or resisting vaccines and treatments. Getting the most updated COVID vaccine is key to protecting yourself from severe illness.

The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. For the most recent updates on respiratory illnesses, visit ournews page.

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