Waking up with a scratchy throat in Washington right now feels like playing a game of medical roulette. One day you’re fine, and the next, you’re staring at the ceiling wondering if it’s "just a cold" or something that’s going to knock you sideways for two weeks. If you’ve noticed everyone from your barista to your boss is sporting a persistent cough or a box of tissues, you aren’t imagining things.
The Pacific Northwest is currently navigating a particularly aggressive mid-winter spike. It’s a messy mix. We’ve got a mutated flu strain making headlines, a sneaky rise in norovirus, and the ever-present shadow of COVID-19 variants that just won’t quit. Honestly, it's a lot to keep track of.
What Sickness Is Going Around Washington State Right Now?
The short answer? A lot. But the biggest "villain" in the room this January is a specific version of the flu.
Health officials, including Dr. Sandra Valenciano from Public Health – Seattle & King County, have been sounding the alarm on Influenza A (H3N2). This isn't your garden-variety seasonal sniffle. This year, we are seeing a mutated version—specifically the H3N2 subclade K—which has been spreading like wildfire across Western Washington and the Yakima Valley.
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Why does this matter? Well, H3N2 seasons are historically more "mean." They tend to hit older adults and young kids much harder than the H1N1 strains we’ve seen in previous years. In King County alone, we’ve already seen over 560 emergency room visits per week for flu-like symptoms this month. That’s a massive jump from where we were in early December. Sadly, the state has already confirmed dozens of lab-verified flu deaths, the majority being folks over 65 or those with underlying health issues.
The Respiratory Triple Threat
It’s not just the flu, though. We’re dealing with what doctors call a "co-circulation" event.
- The Flu (H3N2 Clade K): Fast-moving, high fevers, and that "hit by a truck" feeling.
- COVID-19: While hospitalizations aren't at 2021 levels, wastewater data shows the virus is very much active. It’s currently in a "slow burn" phase—not a vertical spike, but enough to keep urgent care clinics busy.
- RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus): This one is the primary concern for parents. If you have a toddler with a wheezing cough that sounds "tight," it’s often RSV. In Snohomish and Pierce counties, pediatric beds have been filling up steadily since late December.
The Norovirus "Stomach Bug" Is Creeping Up
If you aren't coughing, you might be... well, let’s just say staying close to the bathroom.
Norovirus is the other sickness going around Washington state that people often mistake for the "stomach flu." It’s not the flu at all. It’s a highly resilient virus that causes violent vomiting and diarrhea. Wastewater monitoring in the Seattle-Tacoma area has shown a 60% increase in norovirus particles over the last month.
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What makes norovirus particularly annoying is how "tough" it is. Hand sanitizer? Basically useless against it. You have to use soap and water. It lives on doorknobs and countertops for days. If one kid in a daycare gets it, usually the whole class—and their parents—will be down for the count within 48 hours.
Why This Winter Feels Different
You might be wondering why everyone seems to be getting sicker this year compared to last.
One reason is "viral interference," or rather, the lack of it. During the height of the pandemic, COVID-19 sort of "crowded out" other viruses. Now that we’re back to normal social patterns, the old players like the flu and RSV are reclaiming their territory.
Plus, there’s the mutation factor. The H3N2 "K variant" mentioned earlier has drifted slightly from what was originally predicted for this year’s vaccine. It doesn’t mean the shot is useless—far from it—but it does mean you might see more "breakthrough" cases where vaccinated people still get a milder version of the illness.
A Note on Measles
This is the one that really has health providers on edge. In early January 2026, Snohomish County and SeaTac Airport reported confirmed measles exposures. Measles is incredibly contagious—if one person has it, up to 90% of nearby people who aren't immune will catch it. If you were at SeaTac around the turn of the year and start seeing a high fever followed by a rash, don't just walk into a clinic. Call ahead so they can isolate you.
How to Tell What You Have
It’s hard to self-diagnose when symptoms overlap, but here’s a rough guide based on what local clinics are seeing:
- If you have a sudden, high fever (102°F+) and body aches: It’s likely the Flu.
- If you have a "wet" cough, wheezing, and you're a young child or senior: RSV is the top suspect.
- If you have a loss of taste, brain fog, or a lingering dry cough: Likely COVID-19.
- If you have sudden nausea and "bathroom issues" without a fever: That’s norovirus.
Honestly, the only way to know for sure is a swab. Many Washington pharmacies are now offering "multiplex" tests that check for COVID and Flu A/B at the same time.
Actionable Steps to Protect Yourself
We're in the thick of it right now. Peak flu season in Washington often stretches into March, so we isn't out of the woods yet.
Wash your hands with soap. Forget the gel for a second. If norovirus is what’s hitting your office or school, sanitizer won't save you. Scrub for 20 seconds. It’s old school, but it’s the only thing that physically breaks down the norovirus shell.
Upgrade your mask in crowded spots. If you’re taking the Light Rail or heading to a Kraken game, a high-quality mask (N95 or KN95) is your best bet against the H3N2 surge. The "K variant" is very efficient at hanging in the air.
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Ventilate your space. Washington winters make us want to seal every window shut. But even cracking a window for ten minutes to get some fresh air moving can significantly drop the viral load in a room.
Stay home for 24 hours AFTER the fever breaks. This is the big one. People think because their fever is gone at 8:00 AM, they can go to work at 9:00 AM. Local health departments are asking folks to wait a full 24 hours without fever-reducing meds before heading back out. You’re often still shedding the virus even when you start feeling "okay."
Get the "Big Three" if you haven't. It’s not too late for the flu shot or the updated COVID booster. Even if they aren't a 100% "shield," they are incredibly good at keeping you out of the hospital. If you’re over 75, or pregnant, the RSV vaccine (Abrysvo) is also highly recommended right now to prevent the worst respiratory complications.
The bottom line? This is a heavy viral season for Washington. If you feel a "tickle" in your throat, don't ignore it. Rest early, hydrate like it’s your job, and keep an eye on your breathing. We've got a few more weeks of this peak before things start to settle down.
Next Steps for You:
- Check your local county health department website (like King, Pierce, or Spokane) for the most recent "Respiratory Virus Dashboard" to see specific trends in your neighborhood.
- Pick up a few "at-home" COVID/Flu combo tests to keep in your medicine cabinet so you aren't scrambling when you actually feel sick.
- If you have a persistent cough that lasts more than 10 days, schedule a telehealth visit to rule out secondary infections like pneumonia, which often follow an H3N2 infection.