Rachel V Thomas

Health and Me

Flu 2026: Symptoms To Watch For As New Season Begins

As the 2026-27 <span>flu season</span> begins in the US, doctors are reminding people that <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/influenza">influenza</a></span> can cause more than just cough, fever and a runny nose. Symptoms can come on suddenly and affect the entire body, with some patients also developing gastrointestinal symptoms. 

During the 2025-2026 flu season, influenza caused at least 32 million illnesses, 390,000 hospitalizations and 24,000 deaths in the US, according to preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

According to the World Health Organization, from February through August 2026, influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, A(H3N2) and influenza B viruses circulated across regions. Influenza A viruses predominated in most regions, while influenza B dominated in Northern and Western Africa, North America and Eastern Asia.

While it is too early to know what the season ahead will look like, knowing the range of flu symptoms can help people recognize the infection. These include the classic symptoms of sudden fever, chills, body aches and extreme fatigue, as well as vomiting and diarrhea in some children. 

<h2>Flu Symptoms Can Come On Suddenly </h2>

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/who-sets-2027-flu-vaccine-strains-states-can-now-order-free-covid-shots-for-kids-article-156226113" data-type="tilCustomLink">WHO Sets 2027 Flu Vaccine Strains; US States Can Now Order Free COVID Shots For Kids</a>

Influenza commonly affects the nose, throat and lungs, but its symptoms can be widespread. 

<ul><li>Fever </li></ul><ul><li>Chills </li></ul><ul><li>Body aches </li></ul><ul><li>Extreme fatigue </li></ul><ul><li>Headache </li></ul><ul><li>Sore throat </li></ul><ul><li>Runny or stuffy nose </li></ul><ul><li>Cough </li></ul>

Family physician Carlos Galindo at Texas Health Family Care said fever, chills and body aches are the classic flu combination. People may also develop a sore throat, runny nose and headache, according to the American Medical Association. 

Unlike the gradual tiredness that can accompany a cold, flu-related fatigue can be intense. 

Galindo described it as significant lethargy and malaise, with some patients feeling completely drained. 

<h2>Watch For Severe Body Aches And Fatigue </h2>

One of the key features doctors want people to recognize is how quickly influenza can make someone feel unwell. 

Family physician Christopher Zipp of Atlantic Health in Morristown, New Jersey, said flu symptoms can develop over just a few hours, with fever, chills and body aches appearing suddenly. 

However, flu symptoms can overlap with those of other respiratory infections, so symptoms alone cannot always confirm that someone has influenza. 

<strong>Read More: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/fall-vaccines-2026-us-doctors-issue-covid-flu-and-rsv-jab-guidance-article-156034416" data-type="tilCustomLink">Fall Vaccines 2026: US Doctors Issue COVID, Flu And RSV Jab Guidance</a>

<h2>Children Can Have Vomiting And Diarrhea </h2>

Flu symptoms can also differ between children and adults.  While fever, chills, body aches and respiratory symptoms are common, children may also develop gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. 

These symptoms can occur alongside cough, sore throat or other signs of respiratory infection. 

Sports Stars, Junk Food & Sugary Drinks: How Marketing Impacts Health

For most people, influenza is an unpleasant but temporary illness. However, it can sometimes lead to complications such as pneumonia and hospitalization, particularly in people with underlying health conditions. 

Symptoms that become severe or worsen rather than improve warrant medical attention, especially among people at higher risk of complications. 

In the US, many flu cases are seen between January and March, although influenza can circulate outside the peak season as well. 

Doctors generally recommend flu vaccination around September or October to build protection before activity increases. It takes about two weeks for the body to develop protection after vaccination. Flu vaccination has been shown to reduce flu-related doctor visits by about 40% to 60%.

Health Conditions A-Z

health

flu-2026-symptoms-to-watch-for-as-new-season-begins

flu season

Flu 2026

Flu 2026 Symptoms

vaccine strains

influenza

wcog-2026-how-infections-metabolic-disease-are-changing-digestive-health

WCOG 2026: How Infections, Metabolic Disease Are Changing Digestive Health

think-creatine-only-boosts-performance-new-study-suggests-it-may-also-help-build-muscle-without-exercise

Think Creatine Only Boosts Performance? New Study Suggests It May Also Help Build Muscle Without Exercise

Health & Wellness

8 Sit-Up Variations to Strengthen Your Core and Build Stability

Benefits Of Ayurvedic Health Supplement Ashwagandha

9 Anti-Inflammatory Breakfast Options You Should Try

5 Foods You Should Avoid For PCOS, Says Gynecologist

Love Sitting With Your Legs Crossed? Here’s You Should Avoid It

6 Daily Foods That Are Secretly Increasing Your Calories

9 Brain Boosters You Should Do Everyday

Hip Exercises That Will Keep You Flexible As You Age

9 Leg Exercises Office Workers’ Should Do At Home

Benefits of Having Herbal Tea Every Morning

9 Daily Habits That Boost Your Brain Power

Lower-Body Exercises That Are Game-Changers

How Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar Helps You

Aging Myths You Should Never Believe

Superfoods That Support Your Gut Health

What Happens To Your Body When You Eat Instant Noodles Every Day?

Health Issues Premature Babies Often Face

Exercises Office Workers Should Do For Their Heart Health

Reasons Why You Should Add Raw Turmeric To Your Diet

Benefits Of Drinking Milk At Night: Why You Should Do It

Food That Provides Vitamin B12 Naturally In Your Diet

Surprising Health Benefits Of Fenugreek Seeds

9 Superfoods You Should Eat For Your Brain Health

What Does Mental Health Support Look Like At Work?

Long Stretches You Should Do To Unwind From Your Day

Colon Cancer In Young Adults: Early Symptoms You Should Know

Health Benefits Of Eating Dry Fruits Everyday

Are You At Risk For Fried Rice Syndrome?

These Tests Reveal How Well You Are Aging

Lower-Back Exercises You Should Do After A Long-Day's Work

Children’s Diet – What Kids Need To Eat For Immunity Building

Common Diabetes Myths That Could Hurt Your Health

Love Spicy Food? Here’s How It Affects Your Health

Superfood List: Veggies And Fruits You Must Have For Immunity

Foods People With IBS Should Avoid

Exercises To Improve Digestion

Easy Work Lunches You Can Make In The Morning

Hunger Vs Craving: Difference Explained In 60 seconds

These Things Can Cause Your Heart To Age Faster

High Carb Foods That Are Actually Healthy

As the 2026-27 flu season begins in the US, doctors are reminding people that influenza can cause more than just cough, fever and a runny nose. Symptoms can come on suddenly and affect the entire body, with some patients also developing gastrointestinal symptoms. During the 2025-2026 flu season, influenza caused at least 32 million illnesses, 390,000 hospitalizations and 24,000 deaths in the US, according to preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). According to the World Health Organization, from February through August 2026, influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, A(H3N2) and influenza B viruses circulated across regions. Influenza A viruses predominated in most regions, while influenza B dominated in Northern and Western Africa, North America and Eastern Asia.While it is too early to know what the season ahead will look like, knowing the range of flu symptoms can help people recognize the infection. These include the classic symptoms of sudden fever, chills, body aches and extreme fatigue, as well as vomiting and diarrhea in some children. Flu Symptoms Can Come On Suddenly Also read: WHO Sets 2027 Flu Vaccine Strains; US States Can Now Order Free COVID Shots For KidsInfluenza commonly affects the nose, throat and lungs, but its symptoms can be widespread. The most common symptoms include: Fever Chills Body aches Extreme fatigue Headache Sore throat Runny or stuffy nose Cough Family physician Carlos Galindo at Texas Health Family Care said fever, chills and body aches are the classic flu combination. People may also develop a sore throat, runny nose and headache, according to the American Medical Association. Unlike the gradual tiredness that can accompany a cold, flu-related fatigue can be intense. Galindo described it as significant lethargy and malaise, with some patients feeling completely drained. Watch For Severe Body Aches And Fatigue One of the key features doctors want people to recognize is how quickly influenza can make someone feel unwell. Family physician Christopher Zipp of Atlantic Health in Morristown, New Jersey, said flu symptoms can develop over just a few hours, with fever, chills and body aches appearing suddenly. However, flu symptoms can overlap with those of other respiratory infections, so symptoms alone cannot always confirm that someone has influenza. Read More: Fall Vaccines 2026: US Doctors Issue COVID, Flu And RSV Jab GuidanceChildren Can Have Vomiting And Diarrhea Flu symptoms can also differ between children and adults.  While fever, chills, body aches and respiratory symptoms are common, children may also develop gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. These symptoms can occur alongside cough, sore throat or other signs of respiratory infection.    When Can Flu Become Serious? For most people, influenza is an unpleasant but temporary illness. However, it can sometimes lead to complications such as pneumonia and hospitalization, particularly in people with underlying health conditions. Symptoms that become severe or worsen rather than improve warrant medical attention, especially among people at higher risk of complications. In the US, many flu cases are seen between January and March, although influenza can circulate outside the peak season as well. Doctors generally recommend flu vaccination around September or October to build protection before activity increases. It takes about two weeks for the body to develop protection after vaccination. Flu vaccination has been shown to reduce flu-related doctor visits by about 40% to 60%.

flu 2026: symptoms to watch for as new season begins

About Us

Contact Us

Terms & Conditions

Privacy Policy

Company

Health and Me is a premium website with content written and curated to function as a handbook for all Health concerns.

Flu 2026: Symptoms To Watch For As New Season Begins

'Heart Attack Of The Leg': Women May Overlook This Leg Symptom That Signals Blocked Arteries & Heart Risk

Mammogram May Spot Hidden Heart Risk That Doctors Miss In Women

Are People With CKD At Higher Risk Of Dementia And Cognitive Problems?

Health Conditions A-Z

Flu 2026: Symptoms To Watch For As New Season Begins

WCOG 2026: How Infections, Metabolic Disease Are Changing Digestive Health

Think Creatine Only Boosts Performance? New Study Suggests It May Also Help Build Muscle Without Exercise