Quick answer: flu season in the United States usually gets going in October, peaks between December and February, and can run into April. Getting ready comes down to three things: get your flu shot by the end of October — some places give it free or cheap even without insurance — stock the medicine cabinet before anyone gets sick, and know the warning signs that mean go to the ER. If you do get sick and aren't sure what to do, you can talk by video with a Spanish-speaking doctor from Doctor Matt, with or without insurance, for a flat $68.
Warning signs you can't wait on
Most flu cases get better at home. These signs mean in-person care now, not at the next open appointment:
- Adults: shortness of breath, persistent pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen, ongoing dizziness, confusion, seizures, not urinating, or severe weakness.
- Children: fast or labored breathing, bluish lips, ribs pulling in with each breath, muscle pain so bad the child refuses to walk, no tears when crying, no wet diaper for 8 hours, or not alert when awake.
- Babies under 3 months: any fever calls for immediate medical care, even if the baby seems calm.
- The sneaky one: fever or cough that improves and then comes back or worsens. That can signal pneumonia or another complication.
Higher risk of serious complications: adults 65 and older, people who are pregnant, children under 5 (especially under 2), and anyone with asthma, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, or a weakened immune system. If that's you, get care early.
When does flu season start?
- September and October: cases start ticking up. Best window to get vaccinated.
- December through February: the peak. Over the past 40 seasons, February was the most common peak month, followed by December, January, and March.
- March through May: activity winds down, but the virus is still around.
The flu shot: where to get one, with or without insurance
The CDC recommends an annual flu vaccine for everyone 6 months and older, ideally by the end of October. Your body takes about two weeks after the shot to build protection, so going early covers you right as the virus picks up. If October has passed, getting vaccinated later is still worth it.
If you don't have insurance
- Pharmacies: CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Costco, and most grocery-store pharmacies take walk-ins or same-week appointments. Self-pay prices generally run from free to about $50 depending on the state and chain. Ask for the "self-pay" or cash price before you go.
- Community health centers (FQHCs): they charge on a sliding fee scale based on your income and see patients regardless of immigration status. Find the nearest one at findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov.
- Your county or city health department: nearly all run free flu clinics each fall at schools, churches, and community centers. Search your county's name plus "health department flu clinic."
- Kids 18 and under: the federal Vaccines for Children (VFC) program covers children who are uninsured, on Medicaid, or underinsured. Ask your state health department which pediatricians and clinics participate.
- Work and school: plenty of employers and school districts run free on-site clinics each fall.
One practical note about kids: most pharmacies only vaccinate children 3 and up, and some states set a different minimum age. Babies and toddlers need a pediatrician, community clinic, or health department. Call first so you don't waste the trip.
Cold or flu?
- The flu hits all at once. Within hours you get fever, chills, headache, body aches, a dry cough, and exhaustion that flattens you. That tiredness can linger for up to two weeks.
- A cold creeps up on you. It builds over one to three days: scratchy throat first, then runny nose, sneezing, and congestion. High fever is rare and it's usually gone in 7 to 10 days.
Knowing for sure takes a flu test with a nasal swab, done in person at a pharmacy clinic, urgent care, or community health center. A video visit can assess the picture, but it can't collect the sample. We have full guides to colds and flu and cold and flu in children.
What to stock at home before you get sick
When the fever spikes at 10 p.m., the last thing you want is a drive to the pharmacy. Put this together in September:
- A working thermometer (check the battery).
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). With kids, buy the children's version with its own syringe or dosing cup.
- An oral rehydration solution (Pedialyte), especially if there's vomiting or diarrhea.
- Saline nose drops or spray for congestion, plus a bulb syringe if there's a baby in the house.
- Honey for cough, for anyone over age 1 only. Honey is off-limits before the first birthday because of the risk of botulism.
- Tissues, soap, and hand sanitizer.
Check expiration dates before October. To build the kit, see our guide to over-the-counter medicines in the U.S.
How to read the label before you take anything
Every over-the-counter medicine in the U.S. carries a Drug Facts box. Read these four parts:
- Active ingredient: what's actually in it. This is where the classic flu-season mistake happens — multi-symptom formulas already contain acetaminophen, so adding a separate Tylenol doubles you up without realizing it.
- Warnings: what it shouldn't be mixed with and who shouldn't take it (high blood pressure, pregnancy, liver or kidney problems).
- Directions: how much and how often, by age and weight. Follow the label directions exactly, and use the syringe or cup that came in the box — never a kitchen spoon.
- Expiration date: printed on the box or bottle.
Also worth remembering: antibiotics are not sold over the counter in the United States, and they don't work on the flu, which is a virus.
Back to school: where the season really starts
- Vaccinate early, in September or October, at the same appointment as the immunizations the school already requires.
- Teach handwashing with soap, and coughing into the elbow instead of the hand.
- Keep sick kids home. The CDC says to return once they've gone at least 24 hours with no fever without fever-reducing medicine and symptoms are improving.
If your child gets sick, see our guides to fever in children and cold and flu in children, and call the pediatrician if the child is under 2 or has a chronic condition.
When telehealth isn't the right call
Being straight saves you time and money. A video visit with us won't get you:
- A flu shot: it has to be given in person, at a pharmacy, community clinic, or health department.
- A lab-run flu or COVID test: that needs a swab and someone in the room.
- Tamiflu (oseltamivir) or another antiviral: prescription only, from a clinician licensed in the U.S., and it works best started within the first 48 hours. If you're high-risk and think you have the flu, go to an urgent care or community health center that day.
- Emergency care: trouble breathing, chest pain, confusion, or seizures. Call 911.
Where Doctor Matt fits into your flu season
Doctor Matt is telehealth in Spanish for people physically in the United States. A Colombian doctor reviews your symptoms over video, explains whether it looks more like flu or a cold, helps you understand which over-the-counter medicine to pick up at your neighborhood pharmacy and how to read the label, and tells you honestly when you need in-person care or a 911 call.
The limits, in full and unvarnished: our doctors are licensed in Colombia, not in any U.S. state. We do not issue prescriptions valid at U.S. pharmacies, we do not administer vaccines, and we have no physical clinic in the United States. We handle minor concerns only; emergencies belong to 911. We see children from about age 1 or 2, not newborns. Inside those limits you get a conversation in Spanish the same day, every day from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Colombia time, for a flat $68, with or without insurance.