After a relatively slow start to the respiratory virus season, the U.S. is kicking off 2025 with a surge in several illnesses — influenza, RSV and COVID.
It’s payback time for all the holiday gatherings, and doctors say most of the respiratory infections are mild. But the CDC is now predicting hospitalizations could be as high as last year.
CDC surveillance of wastewater shows COVID-19 levels are as high as they were following the summer spike.
The CDC map shows influenza is spreading too. While levels are moderate and low in Pennsylvania and Delaware, the flu is high in New Jersey.
“I thought it was a sinus infection. I had no idea like, I don’t have a fever or anything,” said COVID and flu patient Pam McLaughlin.
McLaughlin, who lives in Sicklerville, New Jersey, went to urgent care with post-nasal drip and a strange burning sensation in her nose.
“The doctor came in shaking her head, said, ‘girl, girl, girl,’ she said, ‘I’m shaking my head ’cause you got a double whammy. You have COVID and the flu,'” McLaughlin said.