The disease is hitting America particularly hard this year, with cases reported across the entire mainland and an aggressive strain of the virus affecting a broader age range than usual.
And according to experts, the unusually high rates of infection are being driven by children returning to school after the Christmas holidays.
So far 37 children have died in America from a resistant strain of the virus, and government officials say the number could double before flu season is over.
Seven children died of flu just last week.
In an attempt to slow the spread, schools in at least 11 states have closed to disinfect buildings and quarantine children at home.
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Latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows influenza activity remains high across large swathes of the country and mortality rates have spiked sharply.
The figures mean this year’s flu season is likely to be similar to the epidemic of late 2014 and early 2015, which hospitalised 710,000 people killed 56,000, according to the CDC.
Dan Jernigan, director of the influenza division at the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said: “This rapid increase in cases that we have been seeing is after the winter holidays, and while it’s among all ages, it’s higher in children.
“It looks like a big part of the later January activity is flu transmission from kids returning to school.”
Unlike previous flu seasons, this year’s outbreak is hitting the entire continental United States at once.
And while those over 65 typically make up the majority of hospitalisations, more people aged between 50 and 65 – known as baby boomers in the US – are being admitted this year.
Dr Jernigan added: “We often see different parts of the country light up at different times, but for the past three weeks the entire country has been experiencing lots of flu, all at the same time.
“We have several weeks to go.
“Baby boomers have higher rates than their grandchildren right now
“Those folks are ones who really would benefit from having a higher vaccination coverage.”
Flu symptoms in include headaches, aches and coughs which is often accompanied by a fever of 38 degrees celsius (100 fahrenheit).
Symptoms in children are similar, except kids can also experience pain in their ears and appear to have less energy than usual.