Flu season in full force

Physicians are seeing a 10-year high in the number of children who are visiting their offices for flu, with 17 pediatric deaths reported as of Jan. 3, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nearly one in five physician visits for children under 4 years old were flu related, the highest level since at least 2016. Flu-like illnesses consist of patients who have a fever and a cough or sore throat. Overall, the CDC has reported at least 15 million illnesses, 180,000 hospitalizations and 7,400 deaths. CDC data show 26 states are experiencing “very high” levels of flu-like illnesses, while 16 states are experiencing “high” levels. Physicians are urging all Americans ages 6 years and older to get a flu vaccine. (ABC News article, 1/9/26)