How often do college students get the flu?

College students get the flu and other respiratory illnesses frequently due to close living, high social interaction, and stress, with studies showing significant portions of students experiencing flu-like symptoms annually (around 1 in 4) or even higher rates during outbreaks, far surpassing general population figures, emphasizing why vaccination is crucial despite low uptake.

How many college students get the flu each year?

As mentioned earlier, previous studies have found seasonal influenza attack rates on college campuses as high as 73% [1–4].

What is the #1 cause of death in college students?

The leading causes of death for college-age young adults (18-24) are Unintentional Injuries (Accidents), followed by Suicide, then Homicide, with accidents often including motor vehicle crashes and alcohol-related incidents, while suicide remains a major concern, being the second leading cause and highly preventable. 

Which states have high flu rates?

As of mid-January 2026, seasonal flu activity is elevated across the U.S., with California noted for increasing cases, while overall national activity remains high but may be declining slightly after holiday reports. The CDC tracks this with weekly reports, showing elevated influenza-like illness (ILI) visits and a shift towards Flu A(H3N2) viruses, with all ten HHS regions seeing sustained activity, making it a moderately severe season so far.
 

How often is it normal to get the flu?

From the age of 30 onwards, flu infections tended to occur at a steady rate of about two per decade in the people that they studied. The researchers point out that their findings may not apply to other populations but conceivably could.

How often should you get a flu shot? - Melvin Sanicas

Can you be around someone with flu and not get it?

Yes, you can be around someone with the flu and not get it, but the risk is high because the flu is very contagious; staying healthy depends on your immune system, vaccination status, and strict hygiene like handwashing, masking, social distancing, and disinfecting surfaces, though it's not guaranteed. The best protection is a yearly flu vaccine, but limiting close contact and practicing good hygiene significantly reduces your chances. 

What are my odds of getting the flu?

The same CID study found that children are most likely to get sick from flu and that people 65 and older are least likely to get sick from flu. Median incidence values (or attack rate) by age group were 9.3% for children 0-17 years, 8.8% for adults 18-64 years, and 3.9% for adults 65 years and older.

Is flu or covid higher right now?

Seasonal influenza activity remains elevated across the country. RSV activity is elevated in many areas of the country. Nationally, COVID-19 activity is increasing from low levels. Nationally, wastewater activity level for COVID-19 is high, flu is moderate and RSV is very low.

Why is this year's flu so bad?

The virus is still finding its new norm. Even so, a few things about this season's ongoing torment are clear. Much of the blame rests on the season's dominant flu variant—subclade K, which belongs to the H3N2 group of influenza.

What month has the highest flu cases?

In the Northern Hemisphere, peak flu season months are typically December, January, and February, though activity can start as early as October and last until May, with some seasons even seeing a second peak in late winter/early spring. The specific timing and intensity vary yearly, but the core winter months usually bring the highest numbers of cases, according to CDC data and health experts, as reported by Moffitt and NJ.gov. 

How many college students get sick?

A survey of college students in the United States from the fall of 2024 found that around 38 percent of students had been diagnosed with a cold/virus or other respiratory illness in the past 12 months, making this the most common diagnosis among students. Other common diagnoses included the flu and orthopedic injuries.

What is the biggest problem facing college students today?

The number one issue college students grapple with is mental health and emotional stress, driven primarily by academic pressure, financial worries, and the challenge of managing independent life, often leading to anxiety and depression that impacts their studies and well-being. Financial instability (tuition, living costs, debt) and academic overwhelm (coursework, time management) are closely intertwined and major contributors to this stress, making mental health a top concern for students considering leaving school. 

What is the number one killer of college students?

The leading causes of death for college-age young adults (18-24) are Unintentional Injuries (Accidents), followed by Suicide, then Homicide, with accidents often including motor vehicle crashes and alcohol-related incidents, while suicide remains a major concern, being the second leading cause and highly preventable. 

What to do if you have the flu in college?

Colds and Flu: Rest, drink plenty of fluids, take over-the-counter medications to manage symptoms. If you have an underlying health condition that puts you at higher risk for severe illness (like asthma), consult with a provider at Student Health and Wellness.

How bad is the flu this year, 2025?

The 2025-2026 flu season is shaping up to be a bad one, described as worse than average, with elevated activity and earlier intensification, particularly driven by the highly mutated A(H3N2) subclade K strain that's evading some immunity, though vaccines still offer significant protection against severe illness and hospitalization. The CDC classified it as moderately severe by late December 2025, with high numbers of cases and hospitalizations reported across the U.S., and activity expected to continue into early 2026. 

Is there a cure for the flu?

Treating the flu

Unlike a bacterial infection that can be battled with antibiotics, there are no medicines available to fully wipe out a flu infection. For people with healthy immune systems, home care is often the best way to get better and prevent complications.

What day of the flu is most severe?

The worst days of the flu are typically Day 2 and Day 3, when symptoms like fever, body aches, headache, and fatigue usually peak and feel most intense, often leaving you bedridden. While you'll start feeling very sick suddenly on Day 1, the severity generally lessens by Days 4-5, though lingering cough, congestion, and fatigue can continue for a week or two.
 

Is getting COVID like getting the flu?

Both COVID-19 and flu can have varying degrees of symptoms, ranging from no symptoms (asymptomatic) to severe symptoms. Common symptoms that COVID-19 and flu share include: Fever or feeling feverish/having chills (Not everyone with flu will have a fever.) Cough.

What are the early signs of the flu?

Early flu symptoms often hit suddenly and include fever/chills, cough, sore throat, runny/stuffy nose, body aches, headaches, and extreme fatigue, with some people, especially children, also experiencing vomiting or diarrhea. These symptoms can appear within days of exposure and often feel more intense and sudden than a common cold, with body aches and tiredness being key early indicators.
 

How can I tell if it's the flu or a cold?

It's often a cold if symptoms start slowly (runny nose, sneezing, sore throat), while it's more likely the flu if symptoms hit suddenly and are intense (high fever, severe body aches, extreme fatigue, chills, headache). Colds are generally milder and usually resolve in 7-10 days, whereas the flu is more severe and can lead to complications, but both are contagious respiratory illnesses caused by viruses, not bacteria. 

How do I boost my immune system?

On This Page

1. Eat well.
2. Be physically active.
3. Maintain a healthy weight.
4. Get enough sleep.
5. Quit smoking.
6. Avoid too much alcohol.

Why is no one dying from COVID-19 now?

Several factors play a part here as non-invasive devices such as CPAP replaced ventilators, infection control measures improved as hospitals created COVID-19 wards, resulting in hospitals and clinicians being less overwhelmed.

How fast do you catch the flu from someone?

You can catch the flu from someone after just a few hours of exposure, as the virus spreads through droplets from coughs, sneezes, or touching contaminated surfaces, with symptoms typically appearing 1 to 4 days later (average 2 days). The infected person becomes contagious a full day before symptoms start and remains so for 5-7 days after getting sick, sometimes longer for kids or immunocompromised people, meaning you can get sick from someone who seems healthy. 

Why did I get the flu even though I was vaccinated in 2025?

You got the flu after vaccination in 2025 likely due to a mismatch between the vaccine and the dominant circulating virus (like the mutated H3N2 "K" strain), exposure before full immunity developed (2 weeks), or your individual immune response, but the vaccine still likely made your illness milder and reduced complications, as it's not 100% effective but offers significant protection. 

Can I be around someone and not get the flu?

Yes, you can be around someone with the flu and not get it, but it's challenging; your best defense is getting a flu shot, avoiding close contact, practicing strict hygiene (handwashing, masks), improving ventilation with fresh air or purifiers, and disinfecting surfaces, as the virus spreads through droplets from coughs/sneezes or contaminated surfaces.