Influenza Virus Symptoms. The number one symptom of this virus is a seasonal flu – a respiratory illness that may eventually lead to pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus infections, and ear infections when not treated immediately.

Other tendencies are inflammation of the heart (myocarditis) or brain (encephalitis), muscle damage (myositis), multi-organ failure, and sepsis, a severe response to infection. Influenza can also worsen chronic conditions like asthma and heart disease.

Again, “Influenza” is the official name of the virus, while “flu” is the common name, and “seasonal” means it spreads throughout the year, with peaks in colder months. Seasonal flu usually starts in October in New Jersey.  It peaks between December and March then often goes down by May.  

Influenza Virus Symptoms

Fever or feeling feverish/chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headache, feeling very tired: (fatigue), nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, dizziness or confusion, eye pain, loss of appetite, and other flu related symptoms are what your children, teens, adults may experience during infection.

Influenza Virus Cases in New Jersey

Last September 13, 2025, there are 42 total flu cases in NJ based on the surveillance of DOH New Jersey. Look at the video below.

Last September 6, 2025, there are 63 cases in New Jersey alone. You can notice that the influenza’s cases peaked last January 2025 with 12,393 cases!

Looking at the trend last year, it may happen again if your kids, teens, and adult are not vaccinated or will not take care.

Influenza A was more transmissible than influenza B, and during the major subtypes, influenza A/H1N1 was the most transmissible. The average infection rate of influenza was (2.38 ± 0.59) × 10⁻¹⁰, and influenza A was (2.24 ± 0.51) × 10⁻¹⁰, influenza B was (2.21 ± 0.68) × 10⁻¹⁰. And average R_e were 1.60, 1.51, 1.49. In addition, the infection rates of A /H1N1, A/H3N2, B/Yamagata and B/Victoria were (2.47 ± 0.51) × 10⁻¹⁰, (2.25 ± 0.48) × 10⁻¹⁰, (2.15 ± 0.61) × 10⁻¹⁰, and (2.30 ± 0.66) × 10⁻¹⁰ and average R_e were 1.67, 1.52, 1.44, 1.56. – ScienceDirect.

In layman’s terms, Influenza is too contagious and infectious whatever type it is.

Influenza A causes seasonal flu in humans and can infect many animals, including birds and pigs. Influenza B causes seasonal flu but only infects humans. Influenza C causes mild illness in people and does not typically cause epidemics. Influenza D mainly infects cattle and does not infect people. 

Influenza spreads easily, with rapid transmission in crowded areas … coughs or sneezes, droplets containing viruses (infectious droplets) are dispersed into the air … It also spreads by contaminated hands… In temperate climates, seasonal epidemics occur mainly during winter, while in tropical regions, influenza may occur throughout the year, causing outbreaks more irregularly. World Health Organization

Flu shots in New Jersey

For your peace of mind, you can walk-in to any urgent care near you!

It is just 25$ for a flu shot in New Jersey!

Flu shot in Union

Flu shot in Totowa

Flu shot in Metuchen

Flu shot in Jersey City

TIPS AND WARNINGS:

• No ifs, no buts get vaccinated with the flu shot once every year! Urgent Care near you is the best place to get vaccinated.
• Influenza Virus is highly contagious whether it is A, B, C. or D Influenza Virus.
• Symptoms will vary on your current health conditions. 
• Severe complications will happen if not treated promptly or your immune system is too weak to handle the virus.
• If you need to know more about the treatment read the seasonal flu treatment in New Jersey.