How to best protect yourself from recent flu outbreak

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The Kentucky Department of Public Health confirmed the first pediatric flu death in the Commonwealth this season, and now Norton Children’s Hospital is offering ways to protect you and your family as we enter the new year.

A Kenton County Child who did not receive the flu vaccine unfortunately died recently.

With this flu outbreak going around, it’s important to stay safe and healthy heading into 2026.

Dr. Heather Felton, a pediatrician at Norton Children’s, says it’s not too late to get your vaccine, especially as kids get ready to go back to school.

“We’ll probably see more when kids go back into school, and so they’ll be able to develop some protection for that, and then we are way far away from the end of the flu season. Usually, it will not end until probably March or April, and right now we’re seeing so much Flu A, we usually see a wave of Flu B before the end of the flu season,” she says.

With this increase in flu cases, Felton has seen high fever, body aches and congestion.

She also recommends Tamiflu, an over-the-counter medication, which can help overcome those symptoms.