Flu activity continues to be very high throughout much of New Hampshire, according to data from Jan. 4-10. Courtesy image/New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services

For months, the Influenza virus has run rampant through the Granite State and New England, marking one of the worst flu seasons in 25 years.

“A strong possibility for the increased prevalence is a new strain, a mutation of Influenza A,” said Dr. Mary Lyster of Lamprey Health Centers, adding that the current vaccine does not provide the usual level of protection. “This strain easily bypasses the effects of the flu vaccine and appeared after the current flu vaccines were distributed.”

However, Lyster said that does not mean residents should skip the vaccine altogether.

“Having the flu vaccine will reduce the severity of the illness even if it does not prevent flu,” she said. “We, at Lamprey Health Centers, recommend the flu shot for everyone from ages 6 months on up. If you have not yet gotten a flu shot, get it now.”

She also dispelled the notion that the flu shot causes the flu.

“This is a fallacy,” said Lyster. “You cannot get the flu by getting the shot. You may experience flu-like symptoms, these symptoms come from your body’s immune reaction to fight the flu.”

In addition, Lyster said flu patients can contract the virus and have no symptoms for up to four days. However, they are already contagious during that time.

For those who catch the flu, Lyster recommended staying home, frequent handwashing as well as medications such as Tamiflu, Relenza, Rapivab and XoFluza.

Keith Baldi, spokesperson for Southern New Hampshire Health, said the number of flu cases in his network has climbed by 500 percent since December 2025.

“Overall, this flu season’s numbers are similar to last season; however, because of low vaccination rates, a flu strain that tends to hit patients a little harder and the end of the holiday season, we continue to treat a higher volume of patients at this time of year,” said Dr. Salvatore Vella, chief medical officer of Foundation Medical Partners, an affiliate of Southern New Hampshire Health. “We’d like the community to get vaccinated, wash your hands, stay home when you’re sick and cover coughs and sneezes. These are all ways to stay healthy and keep our families safe.”

Dr. Sharon Vuppula, a pediatrician at Southern New Hampshire Medical Center, said the flu has also been putting more children in the hospital.

“The flu arrived earlier and spread more widely and some children are becoming seriously ill, especially those who are very young or have underlying health conditions,” she said. “This makes prevention, early recognition of symptoms and timely medical care especially important for families right now.”

Vuppula said classic symptoms for children include chest pain, fast breathing or trouble breathing, bluish lips or face and a fever of 104 that does not respond to medicine.