Flu Season is Starting Early: What to Know

It may still feel a little early to be talking about flu season, but flu is already making its way into our clinics. While we tend to think of the flu as something that peaks during the colder winter months, influenza can circulate at other times of the year, too. And when cases start popping up earlier than expected, it’s a good reminder to return to simple habits that can help keep germs from spreading throughout the household.

“Every flu season can look a little different, and this year we’re already seeing patients coming in with flu-like symptoms,” says Nathan Kiskila, MD, President of Marque Urgent Care. “The biggest thing I tell patients is not to wait until everyone in the house is sick to start being careful. Prevention really does make a difference.”

What Does the Flu Look Like?

The flu can come on quickly and may feel a lot more intense than a typical cold. Common symptoms include:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Headache
• Body aches
• Fatigue
• Vomiting or diarrhea, particularly in children

And remember, not everyone with the flu will have a fever. Flu symptoms can also overlap with COVID, RSV, and other respiratory illnesses, which is one reason testing can be helpful when you’re not feeling well.

Prevention Starts at Home

Once flu starts circulating, a few everyday habits can go a long way toward keeping it from spreading through your family. Wash your hands, a lot. Soap and water are still one of the easiest ways to keep germs from spreading. Make it a habit to wash your hands when you get home, before eating, and after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.

Leave the shoes at the door. Consider making your home a shoe-free zone, especially during cold and flu season. Shoes can track dirt and germs from public spaces onto floors, so leaving them by the door is an easy way to keep the outside from traveling quite so far inside.

Pay attention to the things everyone touches. Think doorknobs, light switches, countertops, faucets, phones, tablets, and remote controls. Clean these high-touch areas regularly, and if someone in the house is sick, disinfecting them can help reduce germs left behind.

Keep your hands away from your face. We do it without realizing it, but touching your eyes, nose, and mouth can give germs an easy way in. Cover coughs and sneezes. Use a tissue or the inside of your elbow rather than your hands. And perhaps most importantly: if you’re sick, stay home when you can. “We all have busy schedules, and I know staying home isn’t always convenient,” says Dr. Kiskila. “But giving yourself time to rest and limiting contact with other people when you’re sick is one of the best things you can do for yourself and for the people around you.”

If Symptoms Start, Get Checked

If flu-like symptoms do show up, consider getting tested rather than assuming it’s “just a cold.”

Flu testing can help determine whether influenza is causing your symptoms and, depending on the test, whether influenza A or B is detected. Your provider can also evaluate your symptoms, your health history, and how long you’ve been sick to determine whether additional treatment may be appropriate.

Timing matters, too. Prescription antiviral medications used to treat influenza tend to work best when started early, ideally within the first one to two days after symptoms begin, although treatment may still be beneficial later for certain patients, particularly those at higher risk for complications.

“Knowing what we’re dealing with helps us have a better conversation about what comes next,” says Dr. Kiskila. “If you or your child starts developing flu symptoms, getting evaluated early allows us to determine what’s causing them and whether there’s anything more we recommend for treatment.” This can be especially important for young children, older adults, pregnant women, and people with certain underlying health conditions, who may be at greater risk for complications from influenza.

Don’t Share the Flu With the Whole Family

If someone in your house gets sick, try to give them a little space from everyone else when possible. Avoid sharing cups, utensils, and towels, keep those hands washed, and give frequently touched surfaces some extra attention.

And don’t rush back into work, school, or activities just because the fever is gone. A good general rule is to wait until symptoms are improving overall and you’ve been fever-free for at least 24 hours without using fever-reducing medication. Flu season may be getting an early start, but that doesn’t mean your entire household has to get it.

Prevention is key when flu season arrives, and this year, it looks like it’s already here. Pay attention to symptoms, keep up with those simple everyday hygiene habits, and if you or someone in your family isn’t feeling well, Marque Urgent Care is here to help.