A well-known respiratory illness is experiencing an early rise in infections in central Florida, prompting doctors to emphasize the importance of recognizing its symptoms and seeking timely care: it is influenza A (H1N1), a variant of seasonal flu that is circulating earlier than usual in several regions of the United States.
The surge was reported this Sunday by the network WFTV, based in Orlando, which reported an increase in H1N1 cases in the central part of the state, while health authorities prepare for a possible greater circulation of other respiratory viruses, such as COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), over the coming weeks.
The specialists' concern is that the symptoms of these diseases may appear similar, although their treatments are not always the same.
Therefore, identifying in a timely manner which virus is causing an infection can be crucial, especially in individuals at higher risk of complications.
Andrew Pekosz, a specialist at the Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University, explained that there are antiviral medications for both influenza and COVID-19, but their effectiveness depends on several factors.
"There are antiviral medications available for COVID and influenza if one becomes infected, but they must be taken within the first few days after the onset of symptoms," said the expert in statements reported by WFTV.
Flu typically begins suddenly, with fever, chills, muscle aches, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, headache, and intense fatigue. However, not everyone infected shows fever.
The symptoms of a common cold typically appear gradually, whereas those of COVID-19 can begin between two and 14 days after exposure to the virus.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warn that it is not always possible to differentiate these infections solely based on symptoms.
Diagnostic tests allow for the identification of the responsible virus and guide medical decisions.
The increase detected in Florida matches a national trend. In their surveillance report published last Friday, the CDC indicated that influenza activity continues to rise in numerous regions of the country and is above the levels typically observed at this time of year.
During the epidemiological week that ended on October 31, public health laboratories in the United States identified 513 positive samples of influenza. Of these, 502 were influenza A and 11 were influenza B.
Among the 388 influenza A samples for which the subtype could be determined, 379 were A(H1N1)pdm09, representing 97.7%. This proportion reflects the results of the participating U.S. laboratories, not solely the cases in Florida.
The CDC explained that this is a virus that has been circulating seasonally since 2009. The institution has also observed genetic changes among the H1N1 viruses currently in circulation, although it is still too early to determine how these changes might affect the effectiveness of vaccines this season.
The organization estimates that, since the beginning of the 2026-2027 flu season, the United States has recorded at least 1,700,000 illnesses, 25,000 hospitalizations, and 1,400 deaths associated with the flu.
However, the CDC has preliminarily classified the severity of the season so far as low.
They also clarified that an early increase in flu activity does not necessarily mean that the season will reach a higher peak or lead to more severe consequences.
In Florida, the State Health Department maintains weekly surveillance of respiratory illnesses.
The typical season runs from October to May, although its start, intensity, and duration may vary across different regions.
The data collected by Cleveland Clinic Florida also reflect active circulation of the virus. In their update on Friday, the institution reported a positivity rate of 16.5% for influenza A among the tests conducted at its participating centers. The samples examined via sequencing corresponded to the H1N1 subtype.
Influenza can lead to serious complications, such as pneumonia, especially among adults over 65 years old, young children, pregnant women, and individuals with certain chronic illnesses.
The CDC recommends seeking medical attention immediately if experiencing symptoms such as difficulty breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, confusion, or symptoms that improve initially and then return more intensely.
For individuals at higher risk of complications, antiviral treatments for influenza work best when started within the first two days of symptom onset.
These medications require a prescription and may be indicated even after that period in certain patients.
Health authorities also recommend annual flu vaccination starting at six months of age, unless there are specific contraindications, as well as staying home when sick and avoiding close contact with vulnerable individuals.
Florida previously faced a strong circulation of influenza during the last season. In January, doctors from the southern part of the state alerted about the pressure being exerted on hospitals and emergency services by the H3N2 variant, known as subclade K.
That episode was associated with a different subtype than the one that currently predominates in national records. During that period, specialists from Miami-Dade and Broward also emphasized the importance of vaccination and early treatment to reduce the risk of hospitalization.
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