Flu cases have surged in the United States and experts along with the data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) pointed out that this will most likely get worse. The CDC data revealed that last week there were more than 19,000 patients with influenza who were admitted to a hospital. This is an up of about 10,000 from the previous week. The CDC also estimated that at least 7,5 million people have been sickened, and over 3,100 people died from the flu.

Not only that, but there has been a rise in unprecedented winter sickness, including winter vomiting bug or the norovirus, COVID and whooping cough. All of these are slamming the US altogether. So far, this season has reported 81,000 hospitalization, and questions and concerns have been raised on the effectiveness of vaccines.

Most cases brought to hospitals have been positive for influenza A. Superclade K of the influenza A is responsible for this surge.

Read: Flu Cases Are On The Rise This Holiday Season: CDC

Where Is The Flu Surging?

In the US, New York saw the highest number of positive flu cases in a single week for the week ending with December 20, confirmed the New York State Department of Health. Connecticut is up next that saw the climb "to highest levels doctors have ever seen", confirmed the news outlet WFSB-TV. California too saw an increase of flu cases statewide. Dawn Terashita, who monitors acute communicable disease at LA County's Department of Public Health said, "it is scary to hear that this year might be worse" than last year.

What Is Influenza A?

As per the National Institutes of Health, US, influenza viruses that contains single-stranded RNA that are classified into three types: A, B, and C. Type A and B cause annual epidemics and even pandemics, while type C is a less common disease.

As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Influenza A viruses are descendants of the 2009 H1N1 pandemic virus that emerged in the spring of 2009 and caused a flu pandemic. These viruses, scientifically called the "A(H1N1)pdm09 virus," and more generally called "2009 H1N1," have continued to circulate seasonally since 2009 and have undergone genetic and antigenic changes.

Influenza A(H3N2) viruses also change genetically and antigenically. Influenza A(H3N2) viruses have formed many separate, genetically different clades in recent years that continue to co-circulate.

Common Signs And Symptoms of Influenza A

• Fever or chills
• Dry cough
• Sore throat
• Headache
• Fatigue

The symptoms usually appear 1 to 4 days after exposure and could linger for a week.

Also Read: A ‘Super Flu’ K-Strain Is Raising Early Christmas Alarms, Here’s What We Know

Can You Die From Flu?

As per the infectious physician at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Health Security, as reported in Scientific American, "Dying from the flu is not like dying from a bullet or a black widow spider bite. The presence of the virus itself isn't going to be what kills you. An infectious disease always has a complex interaction with its host.”

Will The Old Vaccine Work Against This New Strain?

"The vaccine remains the most effective means to prevent disease. We still want to encourage people to get the vaccine," said Professor Antonia Ho, Professor and Honorary Consultant in Infectious Diseases at the University of Glasgow. Experts have stressed enough on the immunity that one can receive from the vaccine that that these flu jab remain the best defense against the flu, even though the current strain circulated may have drifted away from the strain included in this year's jab.

After nearly dying of pneumonia, Wayne Lineker has finally shared a new health update from hospital, wearing a red Christmas hat. He is seen telling fans he has finally beaten the illness and is back home after what he described as weeks of “pure hell”.

The 63-year-old Celebs Go Dating star and club owner took to Instagram to announce the news, revealing that although he would miss Christmas Day in hospital, he had been cleared to go home on Boxing Day. In a video filmed from his hospital bed, Wayne was seen wearing a Santa hat and smiling as he shared the update with his followers.

“Guys, I just heard the news. I’m going home but not until Boxing Day. I’m gonna miss it by a day, oh well. Merry Christmas,” he said.

In the caption, Wayne reflected on the ordeal, writing that he had beaten pneumonia after what he called the toughest six weeks of his life. He explained that he still had two days left on an intravenous course of antibiotics, which meant spending Christmas Day in hospital, but said he was feeling grateful and relieved. He also thanked the doctors and nurses at Basildon Hospital for their care and support.

Fans rally around as Wayne shares festive hospital moments

Fans quickly flooded the comments section with messages of love and encouragement. One follower wrote, “Merry Christmas darling, the road to recovery looks great on you,” while another joked, “Good news, you can Christmas whenever you want.” Others wished him well and told him they were delighted to hear he was finally on the mend.

The following morning, Wayne shared another update, posting a photo with several nurses from the ward. Dressed in red and white Christmas pyjamas decorated with festive trees and the same Santa hat, he appeared in high spirits alongside the smiling staff.

“Merry Christmas everyone, love from me and all the girls at the Bursted ward Basildon Hospital,” he wrote. He added that Christmas music was playing and that he had been video calling his family, encouraging fans to check his stories for more hospital moments.

A frightening battle with pneumonia

Wayne first revealed earlier this month that he was battling pneumonia, explaining at the time that the illness had left him extremely weak and unable to walk. He later told fans that parts of his lungs were struggling to clear phlegm, despite ongoing treatment.

In another update, he admitted he was feeling worn down but determined to recover. Doctors had put him on strong antibiotics and breathing exercises, which he said he was doing daily and even hourly, alongside trying to stay active around his hospital room.

He also revealed that surgery was being considered if the infection did not clear. The procedure, described to him as a keyhole operation involving a lung washout, was presented as a last resort. At the time, Wayne said it was touch and go whether he would be home for Christmas.

According to the Daily Mail, Wayne was treated for two severe bouts of pneumonia, a serious infection that attacks the lungs and respiratory system and can be fatal, particularly in vulnerable patients.

Now back home, Wayne shared one final upbeat post, punching the air in an orange tracksuit top, trainers and sweatpants. Smiling broadly, he told fans he was thrilled to be home and focused on resting and continuing his recovery.

Have you been taking Lansoprazole for more than three months? Here is the NHS warning you should not be ignoring. The National Health Service or NHS has important guidance on its website for anyone prescribe lansoprazole, this is especially if you have been taking it for three months or more.

What Does The NHS Guidance Say For Lansoprazole?

The NHS website notes that if you have been taking lansoprazole for more than three months, the levels of magnesium in your blood could fall. The NHS is warning against the long term use of this common indigestion medicine as it could lead to low magnesium levels that can cause fatigue, confusion, dizziness, muscle twitches, shakiness, and irregular heartbeat.

If you experience any such symptoms, it is best to consult a doctor.

What Is Lansoprazole?

Lansoprazole is a widely used medicine that is prescribed by many doctors throughout the UK. It is one of the common and frequently prescribed proton pump inhibitors or PPIs by the NNHS, which account for a significant portion of all prescriptions dispensed in England.

This medicine is used to reduce the amount of acid in the stomach and helps to treat and prevent various acid-related conditions.

Also Read: This Common Heartburn Medicine Causes Bone Loss And Fractures, According To Doctor; Here Are Safer Alternatives

Lansoprazole is used to treat these following conditions:

• Indigestion and heartburn
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Stomach and duodenal ulcers
• NSAID-associated ulcers
• Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infections
• Zollinger-Ellison syndrome

Similar Medications Available

Four medications similar to lansoprazole that also are proton pump inhibitors and help in lowering the acid in your stomach and have similar side effects are:

• Omeprazole
• Esomeprazole
• Pantoprazole
• Rabeprazole

Case Study

Health and Me has previously reported on the case of pantoprazole, where a doctor pointed out how it led to low levels of magnesium and brittle bones. This is one of common medicines in many households, including India. Dr Obaidur Rahman, Ortho and Sports Surgeon pointed out that pantoprazole, popularly sold under the name PAN40, PAN Top or PAN D. These medicines are used to treat and relieve symptoms of heartburn, which is a common symptom of acid reflux and GERD.

"A patient came to me, he was an 80-year-old male. He has a habit of taking this tablet regularly, and because of that he suffered an osteoporotic fracture. This means he fell while walking and fractured," points out Dr Rahman.

Doctor says that many people, old and young, alike, have a habit of taking this pill like a multivitamin. In fact, they have substituted with pro and prebiotics and assume that it helps with digestion. However, he points out, "If you take this regularly, your gastric mucosa stops responding against proper acid production. And there is also an impairment in digestion."

He says that in clinical practice, it has been found that this common household medicine, which is often procured as over-the-counter or OTC medicine, meaning, without prescription, could cause Vitamin B12 deficiency, and magnesium deficiency.

Flu infections are climbing across the United States at a time when holiday travel is at its peak, and New York is among the states facing the brunt of the surge. For the week ending December 20, New York recorded 71,123 positive flu cases, the highest weekly total the state has ever reported, according to the New York State Department of Health. This marked a 38 percent jump compared with the previous week.

New York is one of 14 states that logged high or very high levels of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness during the week ending December 13, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows. High flu-like activity was also reported in Washington, DC, New York City, and Puerto Rico.

By December 16, flu cases were rising or expected to rise in 47 states, with Hawaii the only state showing a decline, according to CDC projections. Overall, the agency notes that the current level of seasonal flu activity mirrors patterns seen in several earlier years. What sets this season apart, however, is the emergence of a new flu strain.

Experts say it is too early to determine whether the new strain is causing a higher number of infections or more serious disease. “What we do know is that cases are clearly going up, and influenza activity is increasing across much of the country,” said Andrew Pekosz, co-director of the Johns Hopkins Center of Excellence in Influenza Research and Response, during a health briefing on December 16. He added that this upward trend is expected to continue into the new year.

Influenza A Symptoms 2025: What Is The New Flu Strain Spreading In The US?

The strain drawing attention this season is subclade K, a variant of the influenza A(H3N2) virus that is now circulating widely in the United States. It has played a role in the sharp rise in flu cases nationwide, with New York reporting its highest-ever weekly count of confirmed infections. Similar increases have been seen in many other parts of the country.

Subclade K has previously driven outbreaks in Japan, the United Kingdom, and Canada, prompting questions about whether the current flu vaccine is well matched to the strain. According to USA Today, while the match may not be exact, experts believe the vaccine still reduces the risk of serious complications.

Influenza A Symptoms 2025: Fewer Americans Getting Flu Shots

Another factor that may be fueling the rise in flu cases is a drop in vaccination rates. During the 2025–2026 flu season so far, more than 47.6 million flu shots have been administered at retail pharmacies and doctors’ offices. That figure is roughly 3 million lower than at the same point last season, CDC data shows.

The recent government shutdown, which lasted from October 1 to November 12, may also have disrupted flu surveillance and vaccination efforts. This, in turn, could have influenced vaccination uptake, said Jennifer Nuzzo, professor of epidemiology and director of the Pandemic Center at Brown University School of Public Health. Her comments were included in a flu report published on December 19 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.