Flu season in South Carolina: vaccines, antivirals and the weekly numbers

Flu comes back every year, and every year it's a slightly different problem. In South Carolina, activity tends to climb in late fall and peak somewhere between December and February, though some seasons start early and some drag into spring.

DPH publishes flu surveillance during the season, and those reports can look intimidating. They're easier once you know what's being counted: lab-confirmed cases, hospitalizations, and the share of doctor visits for flu-like illness. We explain how to read them, and what a rising line does and doesn't mean for your household.

This section also covers the basics that matter most: who the CDC recommends get a flu vaccine, why antivirals work best when started early, and which flu symptoms mean it's time to call a clinician instead of waiting it out.