The flu is on the rise in Canada. ‘It’s not too late to get the shot,’ says an infectious disease expert

Fever, cough, muscle aches and pain: If you or someone you know is suffering from these symptoms right now, there’s a good chance they have the flu. And they're not alone. Cases of influenza are on the rise in Canada, with 24.3 per cent of tests coming back positive in the week ending Feb. 8. That's up from 21.2 per cent the previous week. Hospitalizations are currently holding at 3.4 people per week out of every 100,000.

A rise in flu cases each year isn't abnormal. What’s different for 2025 is the timing of the peak. “Compared to what we would've seen pre-pandemic, the flu season got off to a bit of a slower start,” says infectious disease specialist Dr. Isaac Bogoch. “Numbers started to creep up four weeks later than we typically see.”

But how can you protect yourself from the flu and what should you do if you get sick? Keep reading to learn more.

Is 2025 a bad year for the flu?

“We’re seeing a pretty significant burden of influenza activity,” Bogoch tells Yahoo Canada, although he says it's still too early to tell how bad it will be.

Bogoch says experts look to the southern hemisphere as an "imperfect metric" to predict how the flu will impact the northern hemisphere. "Australia had a very tough flu season," he explains. "I don't think this season is unexpected when we look at what other countries have gone through.”

It's harder to pinpoint the "why." Generally speaking, vaccination rates, vaccine efficacy, weather and virus strains can all play a role. Colder temperatures can help the flu virus travel further. In Canada, more than 93 per cent of influenza tests are coming back positive for influenza Type A, strain of flu virus that causes more severe flu symptoms and may require hospitalization.

How is the flu different from the common cold?

“The flu is the influenza virus, which is a very severe virus that, globally, kills about half a million people per year,” says Bogoch. “It is not just the sniffles or a cough or cold.”

While the flu can make just about anyone feel awful, these are the people who are most likely to be hospitalized by a case of influenza:

• Children

• Seniors

• People with chronic health conditions

• People who are pregnant

How effective is the flu shot this year?

We won’t know how effective the flu shot has been for 2024-2025 until the season is over.

“The flu shot isn’t 100 per cent perfect, but it’s the best we've got from a vaccination standpoint to reduce the risk of infection,” says Bogoch. “And if you do get infected, it reduces the risk of severe infection.”

Is it too late to get the flu shot?

The best time to get the flu shot is when it comes out — typically late October or November. The second-best time? As soon as possible.

“The rates of influenza are still climbing and it's February,” says Bogoch. “If you haven’t received a flu shot, I don't think it's too late. It hasn't levelled off just yet. There are still weeks and weeks of flu in the season.”

How can you prevent the flu?

Aside from getting the flu shot, you can take these steps to prevent contraction of the influenza virus:

• Avoid or minimize interactions with people who are sick

• Wear a mask in crowded settings

• Frequently wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces

What are 2025 flu symptoms?

According to Health Canada, flu symptoms range considerably from person to person and can be mild to severe. These symptoms often come on suddenly:

• Fever

• Cough

• Muscle aches and pain

Other common flu symptoms include:

• Chills

• Tiredness

• Headache

• Sore throat

• Loss of appetite

• Runny or stuffy nose

• Diarrhea (especially in children)

• Nausea and vomiting (especially in children)

How can you get over the flu quickly?

Unfortunately there is no way to get over the flu quickly; time is the only cure. Stay home to prevent spreading the virus to other people, rest and keep up your fluids and electrolytes.

If you have fever or muscle aches and pains, you can take over-the-counter pain and fever relievers like acetaminophen.

When is it time to go to the hospital with the flu?

Most people will be able to recover from the flu at home. However, you may need to seek emergency medical attention if you experience any of the following:

• You’re unable to care for yourself

• You can’t keep up your fluid intake

• You’re having difficulty breathing

If you have a baby or toddler that’s having fewer wet diapers, that’s a sign of dehydration and requires medical intervention.

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