A holiday DON’T: bringing your sick kids around the relatives, especially this year

Before you pack the car and head over the river and through the woods to grandma’s house, be sure you are all healthy. That means being careful, even with what seems like a cold.

Influenza A is peaking right now,” said Dr. Gigi Chawla, chief of general pediatrics at Children’s Minnesota. “It can give people what looks like just a little bit of a cold at first. Usually, the symptoms escalate from there.”

The Minnesota Department of Health reports 558 hospitalizations and three deaths in the 2025-26 flu season so far, which is expected to worsen in the coming weeks. 

The dominant strain spreading is influenza A. “People will describe feeling like they’ve been hit by a truck,” said Chawla. “Their whole body aches, they’ve got a bad headache, and that fever kicks in, up to 103 to 104.”

Chawla says the timing is not good, as holiday gatherings will allow influenza to spread. “For every person who has influenza A, they spread it to about one or two people,” Chawla explained. “We’re talking about your grandparents who may have a really difficult time recovering.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control, people 65 years and older are at the greatest risk during flu season. For example, in recent years, the CDC estimates that between 70% and 85% of seasonal flu-related deaths have occurred in people 65 years and older, and between 50% and 70% of seasonal flu-related hospitalizations have occurred among people in this age group.

Handwashing is key to stopping the spread. “It is all about making sure you’re using soap and water and washing your hands for 20 seconds,” Chawla said. She emphasized washing both sides, the palms and backs of hands.

Surfaces are another must.

“Respiratory droplets that spread influenza can live on surfaces for a couple of days, Chawla explained. “You really have to clean off those surfaces that everyone touches.” Phones, tablets, doorknobs, and light switches are a few examples.

How do you know if the sickness you or a loved one is experiencing is serious? Chawla says breathing is key. “If your kids (for example) are having difficulty breathing, coughing to the point they are vomiting, or not able to stay hydrated, they really need to be seen.”

Still not sure? The Symptom Checker on Children’s Minnesota’s website helps families assess if a child’s symptoms require medical care or can be managed at home. Learn more and find a link to the Symptom Checker at: www.childrensmn.org.