By Liam Connolly

**(SACRAMENTO) **

Experts are warning the United States could face a tough flu season. A strain of influenza linked to more serious illness is spreading earlier and faster than last year.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that flu cases are rising in almost 80% of states.

To help people stay safe, Natascha Tuznik, an infectious disease expert at UC Davis Health, answers common questions about why getting a flu shot matters, how to avoid severe illness and ways to protect your family.

How is flu season shaping up?

New data show a rise in influenza throughout the country, with the highest rates being seen in children. However, the recent government shutdown paused the CDC’s real-time tracking of flu cases, which may leave gaps and suggest the national flu numbers are even higher.

Most flu cases this year are from the H3N2 strain, which has been linked to more hospitalizations and deaths, especially in young children and older adults. Over the summer, H3N2 picked up at least seven new mutations, making it better at evading immunity from past infections.

What are the benefits of getting a flu shot?

Getting a flu shot has many benefits. Even if the vaccine isn’t a perfect match to current strains, it lowers your chances of getting sick. If you do get the flu, your symptoms are usually milder, you recover faster and you’re less likely to need to go to the hospital or have serious problems. This is especially important for people at higher risk, like older adults, young children, pregnant people, those in nursing homes and anyone with long-term health issues.

The flu shot also helps prevent serious complications like pneumonia. It can reduce asthma or COPD flare-ups and lower the risk of heart problems after the flu.

Getting vaccinated means fewer missed work or school days and less stress for parents. It also helps hospitals by reducing demand during the busy virus season.

How effective is the flu shot in preventing illness this season?

Flu vaccine effectiveness can vary from year to year, but even at its lower end, it still prevents millions of illnesses and doctor visits in the United States each year.

This season, flu activity is just beginning to pick up, and experts are closely watching how it develops and how well the vaccine performs. Early data suggest that this year’s vaccines may provide some protection against the new strain of the flu virus. However, many scientists and health care professionals are more concerned about low vaccination rates — a major factor behind last season’s unusually high hospitalizations and deaths, making it one of the deadliest flu seasons of this century.

“The flu shot turns a serious illness into something your body can handle much more easily.”—Natascha Tuznik

Why should I still get the shot when it can’t always prevent the flu?

The flu shot isn’t perfect because the virus changes every year, but it still gives your body a head start. If you do get the flu, you’re much less likely to get very sick, need hospital care or pass the virus to family and friends. It can even prevent deaths from a disease that vaccines can stop. The flu shot turns a serious illness into something your body can handle much more easily.

Why do I need a flu shot every year?

Flu viruses change every year, which makes it harder for our bodies to fight them over time. Last year’s vaccine may not protect you from this year’s strains. That’s why new flu vaccines are made each year — to keep up with these changes and give you the best protection possible.

What happens if I skip the flu shot — what risks am I taking?

Skipping the flu vaccine, even for one season, raises your risk of catching the flu and having a more serious illness. People who are not vaccinated tend to get sicker, with higher fevers, worse symptoms and a longer recovery — often meaning more days stuck in bed and more time away from work or school.

Most importantly, skipping the vaccine increases your risk of serious complications. These can include breathing problems, flare-ups of chronic conditions, pneumonia, hospital admission and even death. It also makes it more likely that you will spread the flu to your loved ones, including those who may be more vulnerable to severe illness.

Is it too late to get my flu shot?

It’s never too late to get your flu shot! Even if flu season has already started, getting vaccinated now will still give you strong protection. The flu usually peaks later in the winter, so there’s still time to protect yourself and your family. Flu season often lasts into March and April, so don’t wait to get your shot.

How can someone go about getting their flu shot?

If you are a UC Davis Health patient, you can schedule your appointment via MyUCDavisHealth or by calling your clinic. Many big-chain pharmacies also offer walk-in or scheduled flu shots.

You can also try VaccineFinder.org (a CDC-supported tool) to find nearby flu vaccine providers by ZIP code.