The number of flu cases continues to rise, as the peak of the wave of illnesses has not yet been reached even though the season started two to three weeks earlier.
The pressure on hospital emergency rooms was enormous during these festive days, with many of the presentations being for respiratory ailments. Doctors tested tens of thousands of patients, according to INSP data, in the week of 12/22/2025 – 12/28/2025, with 12,630 cases of clinical flu reported nationally, compared to 11,174 registered in the previous week. However, the number is three times higher compared to the same week of the previous season (4,175) and 4.8 times higher compared to the average of the last 5 seasons (2,633).
Cases of clinical influenza were reported by all counties, the most being in the municipality of Bucharest (1,475) and in the counties of Cluj (903), Buzău (739), Constanța (693), Prahova (658), Bihor (656) and Suceava (639).
Since the beginning of the flu season, almost 400 cases of flu (398) have been confirmed with the laboratory.
“In all confirmed cases with AH3 influenza virus, with samples sequenced in INCDMM Cantacuzino, subclade K was detected”, it is mentioned in the INSP report.
Until December 28, 2025, three deaths caused by the flu were reported, all in the over 65 age category (in the counties: Buzău, Cluj and Constanța).
In the National Electronic Register of Vaccinations (RENV) a number of 1,263,060 anti-influenza vaccinations were registered (1,237,729 being for the population groups benefiting from settlement under the compensated regime), of which 5,920 anti-influenza vaccinations were given in authorized community pharmacies, the data of the National Institute of Public Health also show.
“The season started about two, three weeks earlier than we were used to”
Dr. Gindrovel Dumitra, primary family medicine physician, coordinator of the vaccinology group within the National Society of Family Medicine (SNMF), told “Adevărul” that the wave of illnesses will continue to grow, and the pressure on medical offices will be even greater with the return to the community, regardless of whether it is school, in the case of children, teenagers and young people, or work, in the case of adults.
“It is obvious that we are on an upward slope, that the number of cases is beginning to multiply, that swe’re kind of buttering up a season that started about two, three weeks earlier than we were used to with the onset of the flu season and that indeed the pressure on our offices will be very high during this period. We already feel it, seeing, on the one hand, the patients who present themselves in emergency centers and, on the other hand, the patients who call us, especially in the group of children, those who, let’s say, develop a more noisy symptomatology”, stated doctor Gindrovel Dumitra.
“Basically, we are as discoverable as can be”
Although in this flu season, up to this date, the number of those who have been vaccinated is approximately 100,000 higher compared to the previous season, it is still insufficient to be able to talk about effective protection at the level of the entire population at risk.
“This number is still insufficient. Why? Because there are recommendations that approximately 75% of the risk groups can be vaccinated annually. Or, in Romania, only 1,260,000 people were vaccinated and we need something more, 4-5 million, so that we can say that we have a vaccination coverage that allows limiting the spread of the influenza virus. Basically, we are as discoverable as can be. You know, people who are vaccinated have protection in particular against the development of a severe form and especially against the development of complications that, theoretically, could lead these patients to be admitted to the hospital, respectively, some of them even end up losing their lives, as I also saw in the official report”the doctor added.
Even if the ideal time to administer the vaccine was in the months of October, November, even December, now is not too late either, noted Dr. Dumitra. It takes about two weeks for antibody protection to build up, so people who get vaccinated now will still be exposed for a while. However, the flu season will extend well after January 1, is the doctor’s estimate, “as such, it’s not too late because we can have a large number of cases in February, and in March, maybe even in April”.
Presentation to the family doctor, with appointment
People who show symptoms specific to respiratory infections are advised to use antithermics during this period, and if the general condition is altered, to present themselves for a consultation. Out of concern for people with chronic conditions, we should go to the doctor’s office only after making a phone appointment beforehand.
“I insist on the fact that, with the exception of emergencies, in the case of family doctors’ offices, it is good that the presentation is based on an appointment, especially from Thursday, when the activity will start, because it is very possible that in the waiting room they will meet patients with chronic diseases, but it is unacceptable that we, in the waiting room, create the conditions to transmit respiratory viruses, regardless of whether we are talking about flu or other viruses. Also, people who show symptoms, if they go to the doctor, it is good to wear a mask, including inside public transport, so as to limit the spread of the disease. It is very important to keep a cough and sneeze label, i.e. if you are not wearing a mask and need to cough or sneeze, cough into your elbow, into your coat, so that we prevent the removal of Flügge droplets and their spread into the atmosphere.” the doctor also indicated.
Returning to the recommendations we knew during the pandemic would help us greatly limit the spread of the flu virus. The most important thing, the doctor insists, is to avoid illnesses in more fragile people, such as the elderly, young children, pregnant women, and people with chronic conditions. That’s why it’s important to understand that a condition like the flu has a different impact on people at risk, and wearing a mask around them is a gesture of responsibility.
The periodic airing of the spaces we use in common also belongs to the category of disease prevention measures.
“When school starts, when we go back to work, it is good to ventilate crowded areas at least once every two hours, so that the air can be replaced and circulated. It is also necessary to wash hands with soap and water, as we have learned, possibly using a disinfectant, respectively disinfecting surfaces, because very often the virus can also be transmitted through surfaces”the family doctor also drew attention.
Medication errors
Many patients who come to the office, says the doctor, request antibiotics from the start. Others, who do not have symptoms specific to the flu, present themselves in the office already having antiviral medication on them. “I have to make a very important clarification, which is that during this period it is not only influenza that is circulating, many other seasonal viruses are also circulating. Well, oseltamivir is good to be used only for patients who fit the definition of a case compatible with influenza, possibly who have a positive rapid test. Because using oseltamivir outside of the situation where the patient is ill with the flu or is in contact with a patient with the flu creates the conditions to occur oseltamivir resistance. Or, as far as we know so far, at least this AH3N2, even Clade K, is as sensitive as any of the flu viruses to oseltamivir, and that’s a tool, a weapon, that we can use for people who get sick and need antiviral medication.” the doctor pointed out.
If we use this antiviral unnecessarily, the danger is that of creating the conditions for the emergence of other types or subtypes of influenza that may be resistant to oseltamivir.
On the other hand, using the antibiotic without a bacterial infection is also a mistake that we could pay dearly in time. The doctor is the one who can determine, following a clinical consultation, if antibiotic prescription is required.
The family doctor’s message, given that the flu virus will continue to circulate for weeks, even months, from now, is to show responsibility.
“We are a component of this community in which each of us lives. And in addition to the fact that we can do a lot to prevent illness for ourselves, we must bear in mind that during this period we must also take care of those around us, whether we are talking about parents, grandparents, our children or any other colleague or person we may meet when we arrive in the community or in the community. That is why my recommendation is firm: the moment we have symptoms, we must so that further the conduct is a responsible one”, concluded the doctor.
