Seasonal flu 2025-2026: how to prevent and treat it

Symptoms include fever, sore throat, and cough. Prevention: Wash your hands frequently, cover your nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing. And get vaccinated if you're at risk.

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influenza 2025 seasonal virus

Seasonal flu presents itself with very specific and easy-to-identify warning signs: a cold, cough, fever, and chronic fatigue. Each year there is a wave with some variable characteristics: in the 2025-2026 season, for example,In Italy, 16 million cases of respiratory viruses are expected, with a significant increase in the number of people affected by Covid-19. What can we do to prevent it and then, if necessary, treat it without wasting money and our health on unnecessary antibiotics?

Symptoms

Seasonal flu is characterized by the sudden onset of classic symptoms such as:

  • High fever (often above 38°C);
  • Dry or productive cough;
  • Sore throat;
  • Muscular pains e articular intense;
  • Exhaustion and general malaise;
  • In children and the elderly, in some cases, gastrointestinal disorders like nausea and Diarrhea.

Symptoms can vary in intensity and duration depending on the patient's physical and immune conditions.

How it is transmitted

Il influenza virus It is transmitted mainly through respiratory droplets emitted during coughing, sneezing or simply talking.

It can also be contracted by touching surfaces contaminated with the virus and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.

Crowded places, including public transportation and work environments such as offices, can increase the risk of virus transmission.

Incubation period

The incubation period for seasonal influenza typically varies between 1 and 4 days, with an average of about 2 days. During this interval, the virus begins to replicate in the respiratory tract, making people contagious even before symptoms appear.

This asymptomatic but contagious phase is usually the main driver of the spread of the virus, especially in contexts where preventive measures are not respected.

How long does it last

The acute phase of influenza normally lasts 3 to 7 days.. However, symptoms such as tiredness and general weakness may persist for one to two weeks after the fever and muscle painFull recovery depends largely on the person's age, general health, and any preexisting conditions.

How is the diagnosis made?

The diagnosis of influenza is mainly based on theclinical observation of symptomsIn more complex cases, or in the presence of complications, specific tests can be used to identify the responsible viral strain, Including:

  • Nasopharyngeal swab: allows for the rapid detection of the presence of the influenza virus;
  • Blood tests: useful for identifying any secondary infections or for monitoring the general inflammatory state;
  • Chest X-ray: indicated to check for the presence of complications such as pneumonia, especially in patients at risk.

How to treat it

In most cases, seasonal flu resolves spontaneously. Without the need to resort to any medical remedies, when necessary, flu treatment focuses mainly on alleviating the most bothersome symptoms through:

- antibiotics they are not useful against the flu, this being caused by a virus. They are prescribed only in case of bacterial superinfections diagnosed by the doctor.

Subjects most at risk

The most vulnerable categories in general are:

  • Children under 5 years old;
  • Seniors over 65;
  • Pregnant women;
  • People with chronic diseases such as diabetes or cardiovascular diseases;
  • Subjects with immune system compromise.

These categories are strongly recommended to: annual flu vaccinationThe vaccine serves primarily to prevent severe forms of the disease, reducing the risk of complications such as pneumonia and hospitalization. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the vaccine is particularly effective in protecting vulnerable individuals, while it is less necessary for young and healthy people, unless they live or work in close contact with at-risk individuals.

Prevention

To prevent the spread of seasonal flu, it is recommended to:

  • Get vaccinated every year, especially if you are in one of the at-risk groups, always and only with the advice of your GP, preferably before the start of the acute phase of the flu season. There are eleven authorised vaccines in total;
  • Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use alcohol-based disinfectant solutions;
  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when sneezing or coughing;
  • Avoid close contact with infected people;
  • Maintain a well-ventilated and clean home environment.

By following these simple measures, you can reduce the risk of infection and help contain the impact of seasonal flu.

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