If you’re living in Florida right now, you’ve probably noticed that half your office is coughing and the local urgent care waiting room looks like a concert venue. It’s mid-January 2026, and the "Sunshine State" is currently a bit of a petri dish.
Honestly, it’s a weird season. We’ve got a mix of a particularly aggressive flu strain, a quiet but steady rise in COVID-19, and a nasty stomach bug that’s making its way through schools and even cruise ships.
The "Super Flu" is Real (and it's H3N2)
The big headline right now is the flu. The CDC officially moved Florida into the "Very High" activity tier this month. This isn't just your run-of-the-mill sniffles. Doctors in Northeast Florida and the First Coast are calling it a "super flu" because it's hitting people incredibly hard and fast.
Technically, it’s a mutated strain of Influenza A H3N2 (Subclade K). The problem? This specific mutation wasn't fully anticipated when the current vaccine was formulated six months ago. While the shot still helps prevent you from ending up in the ICU, it’s not doing a great job at stopping the initial infection.
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The Florida Department of Health (FDOH) has flagged several counties with active outbreaks:
- Polk and Seminole
- Escambia and Flagler
- St. Johns and St. Lucie
If you wake up feeling like you’ve been hit by a truck—sudden fever, body aches that make you want to cry, and total exhaustion—it’s probably this.
COVID-19 is Growing (Again)
While the flu is hogging the spotlight, COVID-19 hasn't gone anywhere. As of January 13, 2026, the CDC’s modeling shows that COVID-19 infections are "Growing" in Florida with a 98.6% probability.
It’s a gradual build. Unlike the flu’s "hammer to the head" start, COVID symptoms in this current wave are starting slow—a scratchy throat, maybe a slight headache—before the fatigue and congestion really kick in. If you've got a "summer cold" in the middle of January, take a test. Most of the wastewater data for Florida shows moderate levels, but the trend line is pointing straight up.
The "Winter Vomiting Bug" in Orange County
If it’s not respiratory, it’s gastrointestinal. Norovirus is currently making the rounds. It’s a highly contagious stomach virus that causes projectile vomiting and diarrhea. It doesn't care about your hand sanitizer, either.
Earlier this month, a cruise ship departing from Port Everglades had to return after nearly 100 people got sick. Locally, Orange County has seen a significant spike in norovirus levels in their wastewater.
Expert Note: Alcohol-based hand sanitizers do basically nothing against norovirus. You have to use soap and water. The virus has a protein shell that alcohol can't penetrate, so you're basically just spreading the germs around your hands instead of killing them.
Why Everyone is Sick at Once
It's the "Holiday Hangover." People spent the last three weeks of December traveling, hugging relatives, and staying in climate-controlled indoor spaces. Florida’s winter has been a bit cooler than usual this year, which keeps people indoors where ventilation is poor.
We’re also seeing "Walking Pneumonia" (Mycoplasma pneumoniae) sticking around. It’s a bacterial infection that doesn't always put you in bed but gives you a nagging, dry cough that lasts for three or four weeks.
What You Should Actually Do
If you’re feeling the onset of something, don't just "tough it out."
- Test Early: There are combo tests now that check for Flu A, Flu B, and COVID-19 all at once. Knowing which one you have determines if you need Paxlovid (for COVID) or Tamiflu (for the flu).
- Hydrate Beyond Water: If you catch the norovirus going around Orlando, water isn't enough. You need electrolytes.
- Check Your Humidity: Florida homes are often damp, but running the AC can dry out your nasal passages, making it easier for viruses to latch on. Aim for that 40-60% sweet spot.
- Wash Your Hands (The Right Way): Since norovirus is peaking, skip the gel and use soap. Scrub for 20 seconds.
The good news? RSV levels in Florida are actually starting to trend downward in most regions, so that's one less thing to worry about if you have young kids. But for the rest of us, it's a "mask up in the grocery store" kind of month.
Stay safe out there. Florida's "winter" is short, but this year, it's definitely leaving a mark.