The harsh reality of America's most severe flu season in years isn't confined to hospital wards; it's played out in kitchens, childcare centres, and workplaces across the country. While health officials classify the 2024-2025 influenza season as 'high severity'—the worst since 2017-18—the real damage lies in the financial strain on families.
A single case of flu can trigger a cascade of costs, amounting to over £790 ($1,000) for many families. These costs include lost wages, emergency childcare, and medical expenses—burdens that rarely fall on the radar of wealthy households but devastate working-class families.
