This is an official CDC Twitter profile featuring information from the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases’ Influenza Division (
@CDCflu
). You can verify all official CDC social media channels here:
#FluFactFriday
: Flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses, but are caused by different viruses. Telling the difference between them is difficult based on symptoms alone, but can be done by lab testing.
The latest CDC
#FluView
report shows that flu activity remains lower than usual in the U.S., with flu activity for the season the lowest it has been in at least a quarter century. Learn more:
CDC has confirmed the 1st human infection of 2022 w/ a flu virus that usually spreads in pigs. The person infected had direct contact w/ pigs at an agricultural fair. Public health risk from these types of infections is low, but CDC recommends precautions:
Flu activity is widespread in most of the U.S. It is not possible to say when
#flu
season will end, and significant flu activity is likely to continue for several more weeks. Latest flu activity update:
Influenza A (H3N2)-predominant seasons are often associated with more severe illness, especially in people 65+ and young children.
#Flu
antiviral medications are the only drugs approved to treat flu infection.
"Vaccination is our main tool to prevent
#flu
infection and flu vaccination efforts should continue as long as flu viruses are circulating, but antiviral drugs are the most important tool for flu treatment." -
@CDCFlu
Director Dr. Jernigan
Flu shots cannot cause flu infection or flu illness, but getting sick with
#flu
can cause severe illness, hospitalization and sometimes even death. Get a
#fluvaccine
by the end of October for best protection throughout
#fluseason
.
The latest
#FluView
report shows that only 0.1% of tested specimens were positive for flu. During the same week last flu season, the percent positive was 27.7%, showing flu activity remains very low this season:
The latest CDC
#FluView
report is out. New York City, Puerto Rico and 40 states continue to experience high
#flu
activity.
Find out if your state is on the list:
Flu activity continues to increase across the U.S. CDC data shows overall hospitalization rates are higher than they were at this point in 2014-15; the most recent “high” severity season.
Flu can be serious. During a regular flu season, flu can cause between 140,000 – 710,000 hospitalizations and 12,000 – 52,000 deaths. An annual flu vaccine is the best way to protect against
#flu
. More:
Is it a cold or
#flu
? Both are respiratory illnesses, but are caused by
different viruses that can be found by lab tests. Learn some of the differences
between cold and flu.
Today begins National Influenza Vaccination Week. This
#NIVW
we're highlighting how
#fluvaccine
is the most important step to
#fightflu
. Flu vaccination has been shown to prevent illness, hospitalizations & can even be life-saving for children. Learn more:
Today begins National Influenza Vaccination Week. Each day we're highlighting different groups of people at high risk of developing serious
#flu
complications and how
#fluvaccine
can help protect them.
More on
#NIVW
:
Today, CDC
#FluView
reports 19 states have “high” or “very high” levels of influenza-like illness. Laboratory data indicate this is caused by co-circulation of respiratory viruses, including rising levels of flu. Read the full report here:
Flu vaccination may not always prevent infection, but it can make symptoms less severe and reduce your risk of being hospitalized with flu. There’s still time to get a
#flu
vaccine. More:
A new CDC study from South Africa published in
@LancetGH
found that asymptomatic infections may be a driver of flu transmission. 44% of lab-confirmed, flu infections in the study were in people who reported no symptoms. Learn more here:
The
#NewYear
is here and so is
#fluseason
! Take 3 steps to
#FightFlu
.
1️⃣ Get your
#flu
vaccine! It's not too late. 👨⚕️
2️⃣ Take everyday preventive actions to stop the spread of germs. 👐
3️⃣ Take antiviral drugs to treat flu, if prescribed to you. 💊
New CDC study shows last season’s
#fluvaccines
(2017-2018) prevented more than 7 million flu illnesses, 109,000 flu hospitalizations, 8,000 flu deaths. Protect yourself and your family with a flu vaccine:
CDC estimates that from Oct. 1 - Jan. 25, at least 10,000 people died from
#flu
and 180,000 people were hospitalized with flu.
Learn the emergency warning signs and seek immediate medical attention for any of them:
A person in the U.S. has tested positive for
#H5N1
bird flu virus after exposure to cows that were presumed to be infected with bird flu viruses. CDC is monitoring the situation & considers the risk to the general public to be low. Read full press release:
The latest CDC
#FluView
report shows that
#flu
hospitalization rates among children younger than 4 are the highest on record at this point in the season, surpassing rates reported during the second wave of the 2009 H1N1 pandemic.
Learn more:
“Getting the [flu vaccine] isn’t just about keeping you safe and healthy…it’s about community, it’s about everyone else around you.” -
@Surgeon_General
#ThursdayThoughts
This fall, we expect
#flu
and
#COVID19
to be spreading at the same time. Protect yourself and your family by getting your
#fluvaccine
.
Dr. Messonnier shares why this year, it’s more important than ever:
CDC estimates that, between Oct. 1 and Jan. 18, at least 15 million people have been sick with
#flu
.
With weeks of flu activity expected, it’s not too late to protect yourself and your family with a
#fluvaccine
.
Learn more:
#TBT
: Before
#1918Flu
, life expectancy in the U.S. was 48.4 years for men and 54.0 years for women. The 1918 pandemic dropped the average U.S. life expectancy by about 12 years, to 36.6 years for men and 42.2 years for women.
Flu seasons are unpredictable. What is predictable is that annual
#fluvaccine
prevents millions of illnesses, tens of thousands of hospitalizations and thousands of flu deaths every season.
CDC recommends you receive a flu vaccine by October 31st for best protection.
#FightFlu
#FluFact
: While seasonal flu happens each year,
#pandemic
flu rarely happens – only 4 flu pandemics have occurred in the past 100 years. Learn more about the differences between seasonal and pandemic
#flu
here:
25 states have “high” or “very high” levels of respiratory illness, according to CDC’s
#FluView
report released today. Laboratory data indicate
#flu
is contributing to a significant proportion of circulating respiratory viruses. Read more:
Most people with
#flu
have mild illness and don’t need medical care. However, stay alert for emergency warning signs of flu sickness, which include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Symptoms improve but return with a fever and worse cough
- & More:
A 2018 study showed that from 2012 to 2015,
#flu
vaccination among adults reduced the risk of being admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) with flu by 82%.
Learn more about the many benefits of
#fluvaccine
here:
#ThursdayThoughts
October is a good time to get a
#fluvaccine
.
@CDCgov
&
@NFIDvaccines
kicked off the national influenza vaccine campaign. Join us and roll your
#sleeveup
. Help protect yourself, your family, and your community— get vaccinated.
#HappyHalloween
! This year, enjoy the candy and costumes, but don’t forget a
#flu
vaccine! CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a flu vaccine NOW for the best protection. Learn more:
#FightFlu
#Flu
vaccination is not only the best protection to keep yourself from getting sick during flu season, but it also helps protect those around you, including those at highest risk.
Check out all of the benefits of flu vaccine and
#fightflu
:
#FluFactFriday
: The majority of
#flu
vaccines available for the flu season are four-component quadrivalent vaccine.
This means these vaccines include protection against four flu viruses that are expected to be circulating.
Learn more:
This
#fluseason
, a
#flu
vaccine will be vital to help reduce the strain of respiratory illnesses on our hospitals and healthcare providers.
@DrNancyM_CDC
talks to
@ASTHO
about why getting your
#fluvaccine
this year is more important than ever.
Listen:
Q: Is it too late for a
#flushot
?
A: No, it’s not too late to get a
#flu
vaccine. Flu activity is increasing nationally, and CDC recommends vaccination as long as flu viruses are circulating.
#FightFlu
Flu activity is widespread across the U.S. Take 3 steps to
#FightFlu
:
1⃣Get yourself & your family a flu shot
2⃣Take everyday preventive actions
3⃣Take antiviral drugs, if your doctor prescribes them
More:
The latest CDC
#FluView
report shows that flu activity is currently low in the U.S. Don’t wait for flu to start spreading in your area to get vaccinated – it can take two weeks for your body to build immunity after a
#fluvaccine
:
Even healthy people can get sick with
#flu
. Everyone 6 months and older should get a
#FluVax
every year for the best protection against flu and its potentially serious complications. More here:
#FightFlu
Early treatment with
#flu
#antivirals
can shorten the duration of symptoms & may reduce the risk of some complications.
If you are very sick or at high risk for developing serious complications, make an appointment with your healthcare provider ASAP.
What flu vaccines will be available for the 2020-21 flu season? Can I have flu and COVID-19 at the same time?
Get these questions and more answered with our new 2020-21 Flu Season FAQ, now live:
#DYK
?
#Flu
vaccination can make flu illness less severe among people who get vaccinated but still get sick, preventing more serious flu outcomes like hospitalization and death:
COVID-19 & flu may spread at the same time this winter. A
#fluvaccine
can help save medical resources for the care of
#COVID19
patients by reducing the burden of
#flu
illness on health care systems. Learn how to find a flu vaccine near you. Get vaccinated today.
#FightFlu
#NewYear
, new you!
This year, resolve for your health to be a priority.
A
#fluvaccine
is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. It’s not too late to
#fightflu
with a flu vaccine.
The first
#FluView
of the season shows flu activity is low across most of the U.S., but CDC it is preparing for flu activity to increase in the coming weeks . For the best protection from flu, get a
#fluvaccine
by the end of October:
People with
#flu
can spread it to others up to 6 ft away. Most experts believe flu viruses spread by droplets made when people sick with flu cough, sneeze, talk, or exhale (breathe). Here's what you need to know to help reduce the spread of flu:
The latest CDC
#FluView
report shows that seasonal flu activity in the United States remains lower than usual for this time of year. Some flu activity indicators are similar to those seen during 2011-12, the least severe flu season in the past decade:
Although some people who get a
#fluvaccine
may still get sick with
#flu
, vaccination reduces the severity of your symptoms if you do get sick.
Check out all of the benefits of flu vaccine and
#fightflu
:
#FluFactFriday
: A
#flu
vaccine is the most important way to protect yourself from flu. It not only lessens your chances of getting sick with flu, but some studies show it may make your illness less severe if you do get sick.
Learn more here:
Most people with
#flu
have mild illness and don’t need medical care. However, stay alert for emergency warning signs of flu sickness, which include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Symptoms improve but return with a fever and worse cough
- & More:
The latest CDC
#FluView
report shows that flu activity remains low across the U.S. Don’t wait until flu starts spreading in your community to get vaccinated – it can take two weeks for your body to build immunity after a
#fluvaccine
. Learn more:
CDC reported 2 human infections with
#flu
viruses that usually spread in pigs and not people, the first of 2023. These infections were caused by different flu viruses and happened in people who had exposures to pigs at different agricultural fairs in Michigan.
It’s National Influenza Vaccination Week (
#NIVW
)!
Remember: It's not too late to get vaccinated if you haven't yet. Flu vaccination is still a good idea through the holiday season and beyond.
The
#1918Flu
produced the greatest influenza death total in recent history, killing an estimated 675,000 Americans and more than 50 million people worldwide. Here’s why it matters 100 years later:
CDC estimates that more than 600 children died from
#flu
last season. This is more than 3 times the number of officially reported flu deaths in children last season. Help
#fightflu
and keep your family safe with a yearly flu vaccination. Learn more at
CDC estimates that about 22,000 people died from
#flu
in the U.S. during the 2019-2020 flu season. That’s enough people to fill Madison Square Garden in New York City. A
#fluvaccine
can reduce your risk of dying from flu. Learn more:
In 1918, a new influenza virus emerged causing a pandemic that killed at least 50 million people worldwide. CDC marks 100 years since
#1918Flu
, with a commitment to protecting the U.S. and people around the world from future emerging threats.
Influenza-like illness, defined medical visits for fever and cough or sore throat, is high or very high in 35 states, according to CDC’s
#FluView
report.
#Flu
is a significant contributor to respiratory illness, but other viruses are spreading too. More:
#Flu
and
#COVID19
share many characteristics, but there are some key differences. From signs and symptoms to who is at risk for severe disease, see what these two illnesses have in common and what makes them different:
#FluFactFriday
: It takes an average of 2 days (1 to 4 days) for flu symptoms to appear after a person is infected with a flu virus. Stay alert for these signs:
During 2017-2018, flu vaccines helped keep more than 65,000 adults 65 years and older out of the hospital. Encourage your parents and grandparents to get a flu vaccine today. Learn more: .
It’s time to get your
#flu
vaccine! CDC recommends getting a vaccine by the end of October every year for the best protection. Protect yourself 💪, your loved ones ❤️, and your time ⌚. Get your
#fluvax
now.
CDC estimates that between Oct. 1 and Feb. 22, there were at least 32 million illnesses, 310,000 hospitalizations and 18,000 deaths caused by
#flu
.
Learn more about the burden of flu:
Don’t let
#flu
keep you from having a healthy
#NewYear
. Take 3 actions to
#FightFlu
:
1. Take time to get a flu vaccine
2. Take everyday preventive actions
3. Take antiviral drugs if prescribed
#FluTip
for educators: Teach good handwashing practices to your students with these 5 simple steps that should take a total of 20 seconds: Wet, Lather, Scrub, Rinse, Dry.
#FightFlu
Most people with
#flu
will have mild illness, but flu has the potential to worsen quickly to include these emergency signs:
-High persisting fever
-Difficulty breathing
-Rapid heartbeat
-Significant tiredness,
-Confusion or decreased level of alertness
CDC has published its updated
#fluvaccine
recommendations for the 2020-21 season in
@CDCMMWR
. Getting a flu vaccine this season will be more important than ever to help reduce strain on the healthcare system and save medical resources. Learn more:
#FluFactFriday
:
#Thanksgiving
is a busy time of the year for travel.
Travel can expand the spread of viruses like flu. Get a flu vaccine now to protect yourself and your family from
#flu
.
During the 2019-2020 flu season,
#fluvaccine
helped prevent 6,300 flu deaths, or the equivalent of saving about 17 lives per day over the course of a year. Learn more about the burden of influenza and the effects of annual
#flu
vaccination:
The latest CDC
#FluView
shows that the number of U.S. jurisdictions experiencing high levels of
#flu
activity nearly doubled since last week to now include 19 states, Puerto Rico and New York City. Find out if your state is one of them:
If you work with farm animals thought to be infected with
#H5N1
, CDC recommends you wear personal protective equipment (PPE) and wash your hands after handling their litter, feces, or milk. More on how to protect yourself from
#birdflu
:
#FluTip
Question: Should I isolate my sick loved one to a different room? Answer: Yes, people sick with a respiratory illness like flu should stay away from others as much as possible and vice versa.
Nearly 165 million doses of
#fluvaccine
for the 2020-2021 flu season have been distributed in the U.S. Flu activity is still low, but it’s important to get vaccinated before flu starts spreading in your community. Find a vaccine today:
The latest CDC
#FluView
report shows flu hospitalization rates from this season are similar to those seen during the 2011-12 flu season, which is the least severe flu season in the past decade. However, flu activity could increase – get vaccinated today:
CDC estimates, that between Oct. 1 and Jan. 11, there were at least 13 million illnesses, 120,000 hospitalizations and 6,600 deaths caused by
#flu
.
Learn more about the burden of flu:
CDC’s
#FluView
report this week shows high or very high levels of patient visits for respiratory illness, defined as fever and cough or sore throat, in 44 jurisdictions. Seasonal
#flu
activity remains high but continues to decline in most areas. More:
The latest CDC
#FluView
reports that the U.S. flu season has started, with about half the country having high or moderate flu activity. Flu season lasts 14 weeks on average, so it’s not too late to get vaccinated:
Influenza B viruses are predominant nationally this week, driving a wave of
#flu
activity in the south and southeast of the U.S. Learn more from this week’s
#FluView
report:
#FluFactFriday
: It takes about two weeks after vaccination for
#flu
antibodies to develop. It’s important to get a
#fluvaccine
before flu starts circulating in your community for best protection. Learn more:
With so many different
#flu
vaccines, it can be confusing. Different flu vaccines are approved for different groups of people. Talk with your health care provider about which flu vaccine is best for you. Learn more:
With
#fluseason
approaching, now is the time to take the
#1
step to
#fightflu
; get yourself and your family vaccinated by the end of October for best protection.
Levels of influenza-like illness, defined as fever and cough or sore throat, are high or very high in 47 jurisdictions, CDC’s
#FluView
reports this week. High and rising
#flu
activity is a large contributor to respiratory illnesses. Read the full report:
CDC’s latest preliminary, in-season flu burden estimates suggest flu has caused at least 6.2 million illnesses, 3 million medical visits, 53,000 hospitalizations, and 2,900 deaths so far this season. There’s still time to get a
#fluvax
. Full report here: