‘Tis the season for spreading holiday cheer.

But it’s also the season when the influenza virus begins to spread.

“We are certainly starting to see rises in cases of influenza as the cold and flu season progresses at a typical rate that has been seen in past years,” said Dr. David O’Gurek, of Lehigh Valley Health Network, part of Jefferson Health.

While cases are on the rise, the season is likely to get worse.

“It’s important to remember that we often see influenza rates spike in the months following the December holidays,” said O’Gurek, interim chairman of the Department of Family Medicine and vice chairman of the Department of Family Medicine, Innovation, Equity and Wellness.

Since the start of the 2025-26 flu season on Sept. 26, the Pennsylvania Department of Health recorded 7,125 positive flu cases across the commonwealth, with 78 in Carbon County; 247 in Schuylkill; 315 in Monroe; 508 in Lehigh; and 440 in Northampton.

O’Gurek said common symptoms are sore throat, runny nose, fever, cough, headaches and body aches.

“The severity of these symptoms can be different for each individual, with symptoms sometimes being worse in older adults, children and people with chronic disease or compromised immune systems,” he said.

Just like with other respiratory illnesses, medical professionals recommend rest, drinking fluids and avoiding others to prevent the spread of infection.

In most cases, O’Gurek said, the symptoms last between seven and 10 days.

“However, consider calling your primary care clinician if you have a fever lasting for greater than three days, you develop significant symptom worsening such as a fever or cough that improves and then worsens again during the course of illness, or if your symptoms do not improve in the typical seven to 10 day period,” O’Gurek advised.

Those who have severe symptoms like difficulty breathing, chest pain, dehydration from vomiting or an inability to keep fluids down should visit the emergency department, O’Gurek recommended.

So far this season, the Health Department reported that 239 adults and 87 children were hospitalized with the flu.

Higher risk groups including children, older adults, pregnant women and those with lung diseases like asthma or COPD, diabetes, heart disease or immune issues, should check in with their primary care clinician sooner.

“There are antiviral medications that can be used for individuals at higher risk, or those hospitalized or with severe symptoms that shorten the duration of symptoms,” O’Gurek said.

The medication should be taken within 48 hours of symptom onset. The medications aren’t recommended for everyone, O’Gurek said, so it is important to discuss risks with care providers.

Avoiding the flu altogether is clearly the best bet, and O’Gurek said getting the flu shot is the single most effective way to protect against severe illness, hospitalization — and even death from the flu.

“While we encourage individuals to get their vaccine at the start of flu season, it is not too late to get your flu shot now,” O’Gurek said.

Flu shots are recommended for people 6 months of age and older. They’re also recommended for those who live with or spend time with children under 6 months of age.

The 2024-25 flu season peaked in February and ended with 237,153 cases reported to the state Department of Health.

O’Gurek issued some tips on staying health.

“In addition to getting your annual flu shot, remember other key preventive measures including washing your hands, covering your coughs, avoiding touching your face, and particularly staying home when you are sick,” he said. “These preventive measures are important for both influenza as well as other respiratory infections we see around this time of year.”