The CDC is behind…again! On December 4, 2025, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued its weekly FluView for the week ending November 29, 2025. In reality, the data could be a week or two old. For sure, the flu is back! And the CDC suggests that the trend is up by 7.1%. But on December 5, 2025 the Canadian FluWatch+ surveillance program reports that laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza “have jumped by almost 61%” for surveillance week ending November 29, 2005. So…Canada is up over 60% while the USA is up by 7%. We have a funny feeling that the Canadian surveillance team may be on to something.
If the Flu Is Back…What Strain Is Dominating?
The weather in a lot of the country is unpleasant. Last week was Thanksgiving and a lot of people will come away from family gatherings with sniffles, sneezes and other symptoms of colds and flu. The Subclade K mutation of influenza A H3N2 is dominating this season. That means there is a mismatch between this year’s influenza vaccination and flu that is circulating. We do not know yet know how this will impact the coming flu season. You can read more about this variant at this link.
How Would You Know if the Flu is Back or if Your Symptoms Are Something Else?
What are the symptoms of a cold vs. the flu vs. COVID?
The “experts” like to suggest that a fever is more likely with the flu or COVID-19 than with a cold. But there are lots of viruses that can cause colds and they do not always follow the experts’ game plan.
Ditto for headache. Sometimes a bad upper respiratory tract infection brought on by rhinoviruses or adenoviruses can give people headaches. And let’s not forget respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and parainfluenza virus or other coronaviruses besides COVID-19.
Whatever virus you catch, it could migrate to your lungs. A bad cough could be from a cold, the flu, COVID, human metapneumovirus, whooping cough or RSV. Then there are all the other symptoms: fatigue, body aches, runny nose and sore throat. Trying to diagnose your infection based on symptoms is a losing battle.
A Reader Wants to Know if the Flu is Back:
Q. Last weekend, I was at a party in an apartment packed with people, and two days later symptoms of the flu came on hard and fast. Now on the fourth day, my fever, which hovered around 100.6 the whole time, has come down to 99.6. My body aches, and the coughing has made my rib cage sore.
I tested for COVID and the results were negative. Yes, I’ve had every vaccination. What else could I do to ease this misery?
A. You might be suffering from influenza. Colds do not usually cause body aches, though that is not always true.
This year, the dominant influenza virus has undergone a genetic drift. The new variant is called Subclade K and flu vaccines for this year may not fully protect against it.
It is too late to take an antiviral influenza medication such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or baloxavir (Xofluza). These prescription drugs work best when taken within 24 to 48 hours of the first symptoms. We encourage readers to invest in a rapid flu test now available over the counter. That way you can test at home, just as you did for COVID.
We suggested last week that you be prepared to test immediately upon experiencing symptoms such as fever, sore throat, aches and pains, cough and fatigue. We make no recommendations about particular tests, but here are some options:
- iHealth COVID-19, Flu A&B 3-in1 Antigen Rapid Test
OSOM Covid Flu Test Combo – 3-in-1 Rapid Flu A B and Covid Home Test Kit
- CorDx TyFast 10 Mins Flu A/B & Covid 19 Multiplex Rapid Test
The People’s Pharmacy is reader supported. When you buy through links in this post, we may earn a small affiliate commission (at no cost to you).
If the Flu Is Back, Who Is Most Vulnerable?
This is not rocket science. Older people (those over 65) are suffering the most. Young children are also the most vulnerable. Do not suffer in silence. If you are feeling really bad, get to a urgent care clinic or an emergency department.
If you have tested positive for either influenza or COVID-19, there are antiviral medications that can help you stay out of the hospital.
If the Flu Is Back…How Long Will It Last?
I have reported in some detail that influenza hit Australia early and hard! Other countries have also experienced a early onset of the flu…and it lasted longer than usual. Read the details at this link.
ALERT! Subclade K Flu is Here: Why We Warned You & What to Do
I keep warning readers that we should improve indoor air quality. Last Saturday on our nationally syndicated radio show we interviewed Dr. Linsey Marr of Virginia Tech. She is one of the country’s leading experts on airborne transmission of viral transmission. You will want to take a few minutes to listen to this week’s podcast:
Show 1454: Stopping Airborne Viruses: Simple Steps to Cleaner Indoor Air
Cleaner indoor air is an important step to avoid viral infections. How can you achieve it at home or at work?
What Does Your Air Filter Look Like?
When is the last time you changed your air filter? What kind of filter do you have? Will it stop viruses? Here is a photograph that I took at a high-end hotel/restaurant some time ago:
Used air filters from a public establishment
These are not high-efficiency used air filters. They are also filthy. How would you know if the people who maintain your pharmacy, doctor’s office, bank or supermarket have installed high efficiency filters recently? Chances are pretty good that no one will be able to answer that question.
Why You Should Know if You Have the Flu:
Is it worth it to know if you have influenza? Well, there are antiviral drugs that help a little if taken within 48 hours of the first symptoms. You may want to read one of the articles we have written on some alternative approaches, including elderberry extact and astragalus. The CDC anticipates that oral antiviral medicine will continue to work against common strains of flu virus.
You may also find our interview with Dr. Roger Seheult of interest. It is titled: What to Do If You Catch the Flu. In this podcast Dr. Seheult, who is a pulmonologist and master of the medical literature, offers some fascinating options.
How Much Longer Will Influenza Last This Season?
During a normal flu season in Australia, people start getting sick in July. By the end of September, the flu is pretty much gone. That’s their winter. So, figure about three months. But last year, the flu season lasted roughly six months.
If we follow a somewhat similar pattern, I am guessing that we could still be seeing cases of influenza through April. That’s because the flu started showing up in North American in November.
Final Words:
I do not understand why the CDC has placed all its bets on vaccinations and antiviral drugs. Why not start encouraging public health officials to improve air ventilation and filtration in public buildings? We have written about Florence Nightingale. She talked about the importance of improving air quality in the 19th century!
When will our public health authorities start paying attention to her message? Would you like to know if the supermarket, pharmacy or restaurant you visit has good ventilation and uses HEPA or MERV 13 air filters? What about carbon dioxide detectors? Shouldn’t such facilities let patrons know the quality of the air they are circulating?
In her recent interview, Dr. Linsey Marr points out that in Japan, many public businesses are now posting live carbon dioxide (CO2) levels that reveal how well ventilated the establishment is. This is a low-cost infection prevention strategy. If they can do this in Japan, why not in the US? You can purchase your own portable CO2 monitor. Dr. Marr describers her own use of such a device.
Please share your own thoughts about influenza and air quality in the comment section below. And if you think this article has merit, please share it with friends and family. You may also find our eGuide to Colds, Coughs & the Flu of value if you catch something nasty this winter.
