Cold and Flu News, Features & Updates

January 8, 2026 — The year is starting with more than twice as many flu cases and nearly twice as many hospitalizations and deaths from the flu as the CDC reported at this time last year. See what experts recommend to stay healthy.

From Thanksgiving to New Year’s, holiday togetherness comes with a catch: a spike in the viruses that thrive when we all gather inside.

November 24, 2025 — From Thanksgiving to New Year’s, holiday togetherness comes with a catch: a spike in the viruses that thrive when we all gather inside.

Two new studies offer fresh insights on protecting your baby’s development, especially as experts predict a late-winter rise in COVID.

Doctors are urging people to act now to keep themselves safe, and a variety of new flu-fighting tools can help.

October 3, 2025 — Doctors are urging people to act now to keep themselves safe, and a variety of new flu-fighting tools can help.

May 7, 2025 — More than a year after bird flu jumped to cattle, scientists are focused on two big questions: Could bird flu become a pandemic? And how can we stop that from happening?

It’s called “cold and flu season” for a reason. So far, 2025 has been a doozy for contagious respiratory ailments in the U.S., including the worst flu season in 15 years Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know and how to stay safe.

March 7, 2025 — With multiple infectious diseases circulating now, here’s the breakdown of what you need to know and how to stay safe.

Experts emphasize the importance of getting vaccinated against both influenza A and B strains to prevent serious health complications during the extended 2025 flu season.

February 27, 2025 — Experts emphasize the importance of getting vaccinated against both influenza A and B strains to prevent serious health complications during the extended 2025 flu season.

February 11, 2025 — It seemed like the flu was on the retreat a month ago. But now, nearly 1 in 3 people getting tested for the flu are hearing back from their health care provider that it’s positive.

Most U.S. states are reporting high or very high flu-like activity, while COVID-19 rates remain lower than this time last year.

January 13, 2025 — Most U.S. states are reporting high or very high flu-like activity, while COVID-19 rates remain lower than this time last year.

January 7, 2025 — A person in Louisiana exposed to bird flu by a backyard flock has died. This marks the first U.S. human death linked to H5N1 avian flu.

November 25, 2024 — A child in California has been infected with bird flu. It’s the first case of H5N1 influenza in a minor, and the number of human infections in the U.S. this year has now reached 55, according to the CDC.

November 25, 2024 — California health officials are urging people to steer clear of a specific batch of raw milk after tests found it may contain the bird flu virus.

With changing recommendations and multiple seasonal viruses to contend with, here’s your simple guide to the 2024-2025 cold and flu season and when to call your doctor.

October 29, 2024 — With changing recommendations and multiple seasonal viruses to contend with, here’s your simple guide to the 2024-2025 cold and flu season and when to call your doctor.

October 21, 2024 — If you’re feeling indifferent about getting vaccinated this year, you’re not alone — and here’s why.

October 11, 2024 — Researchers are learning more about enhanced flu vaccines. Learn what the latest findings show, how available the vaccines are, and who should consider getting one.

What’s the outlook for COVID-19 and flu this fall and winter? It’ll probably be a lot like last year, experts say.

September 30, 2024 — What’s the outlook for COVID-19 and flu this fall and winter? It’ll probably be a lot like last year, experts say.

September 9, 2024 — Health officials are trying to find out how a person in Missouri was sickened by H5 avian influenza, or bird flu. It’s the latest twist in concerning new behavior of the virus, which was detected in farm workers, cows, and milk earlier this year.

June 13, 2024 — The CDC has detected two human cases of influenza that are resistant to the most commonly used antiviral flu drug, known by the brand name Tamiflu.

May 31, 2024 — Research has found that colds during warmer weather actually last longer than those during colder months.

May 30, 2024 — Unlike the first two cases, where patients only had red or inflamed eyes, this farm worker had respiratory symptoms, including a cough, congestion, sore throat, and watery eyes. The worker was given Tamiflu and is recovering.

May 22, 2024 — The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said Wednesday that the farmworker had regular exposure to livestock infected with the H5N1 virus. The farmworker has mild symptoms and has recovered.

May 16, 2024 — WebMD brought together experts from four federal agencies to talk prevention, monitoring, and what the “what ifs” of bird flu might look like.

May 14, 2024 — The virus variant that is circulating among cattle is not an efficient cause of disease in humans. There may be more concern if H5N1 passes to pigs, because their viral receptors are closer to those in humans.

May 13, 2024 — The federal government will pay dairy producers millions of dollars to participate in biosecurity efforts as health and agriculture officials attempt to better understand and safeguard both humans and animals from bird flu.

April 8, 2024 — Following the confirmed case of avian influenza in a Texas dairy farmer last week, the CDC has issued a broad alert for people to take precautions when working around birds or other animals that could be infected with the potentially dangerous virus.

April 5, 2024 — Bird flu has infected several dairy cattle herds across the U.S. Here's what to know about the outbreak and if you should be concerned about it.

People ages 65 and older should get a COVID-19 booster vaccination 4 months after their last one, the CDC advised Wednesday.

February 26, 2024 — Influenza levels remain elevated in the U.S., while COVID-19 levels keep declining, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said last Friday in weekly updates.

Getting sick brings on more than sniffles or a fever. For most people, it brings out the sneaky in them. An impressive 75% of people admitted they have concealed an infectious illness in a new study.

January 30, 2024 — Getting sick brings on more than sniffles or a fever. For most people, it brings out the sneaky in them. An impressive 75% of people admitted they have concealed an infectious illness in a new study.

January 8, 2024 — Flu season continues to worsen nationwide, as 38 states have high or very high levels of the respiratory virus known for causing an onslaught of symptoms like a fever, sore throat, runny nose, and body aches.

December 19, 2023 — You may have never heard of it, but you may have had it. More evidence points to "long flu" being a real phenomenon, with a large study showing symptoms persist at least 4 weeks or more after some people are hospitalized for the flu.

Winter is almost here, and with it may come runny noses, coughing, and congestion. But how do you know if you just have a common cold, or if you have one or more of the three respiratory viruses that make up the “tripledemic” – RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), COVID-19, and influenza?

November 28, 2023 — The rate of flu infections keeps rising in the U.S., according to the latest report from the CDC. Seasonal influenza activity continues to increase in most parts of the country, most notably in the South Central, Southeast, Mountain, and West Coast regions.

November 22, 2023 — Winter is almost here, and with it may come runny noses, coughing, and congestion. But how do you know if you just have a common cold, or if you have one or more of the three respiratory viruses that make up the “tripledemic” – RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), COVID-19, and influenza?

November 14, 2023 — Seasonal influenza activity is increasing in most parts of the country, primarily in the South Central, Southeast, and West Coast regions, the CDC said.

October 27, 2023 — A self-administered nasal spray flu vaccine could be available next season. Drug-maker AstraZeneca announced that the FDA is currently considering approving the needle-free option for home use.

October 20, 2023 — CVS Health is removing some nasal decongestants from its shelves after influential experts said this year that an ingredient in the products is ineffective.

October 6, 2023 — Long COVID isn’t the only respiratory illness that has symptoms that can interfere with daily life for weeks on end. A new study finds that lingering symptoms from the common cold or the flu also can negatively impact people’s lives long-term.

Coughs tend to feel worse at night and can keep you from sleeping. Learn ways to manage them.

September 13, 2023 — Moderna announced Wednesday that its experimental mRNA-based flu vaccine creates a better immune response against four influenza strains than the currently approved flu vaccine called Fluarix.

June 15, 2023 — A recent spike in flu activity in Australia, which is in the midst of its flu season, has U.S. health officials on alert. That’s because flu activity Down Under can help predict how severe the U.S. flu season will be.