Flu hitting harder and earlier than past 2 years. Levels in N.J. already at ‘very high.’

Sick for the holidays with fever, chills and muscle aches? So is the rest of New Jersey, it seems.

The flu is hitting New Jersey harder and earlier in the season than the past two years, state and federal data shows.

New Jersey is one of five states currently experiencing “very high” levels of flu activity, according to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The others are New York, Rhode Island, Louisiana and Colorado. The numbers are based on the proportion of outpatient visits to healthcare providers for flu-like illness.

The most common type being reported is the Influenza A virus, the CDC said.

Wondering if it’s something else like COVID-19, RSV or adenovirus? They’re out there, too, just not at the same rates as the flu, the Department of Health is reporting.

While flu viruses are detected year-round in the U.S., the virus activity usually peaks between December and February. Last season, New Jersey saw its peak the first week of February, with more than 14,000 cases.

But during the week ending Dec. 20, there were 11,472 cases of the flu in New Jersey, according to the state’s most recent data — a jump from the previous week’s report of 6,940.

During the last flu season, the state didn’t see those levels until late January.

And they may only increase for the season once the data from the holidays — after all those indoor gatherings — are included.

Before winter break, K-12 schools had already reported 42 influenza outbreaks for the month of December. There were just 4 outbreaks at the same time last year.

Hospitalizations have also increased. About 8% of patients showing up to an emergency department are coming because of the flu, data shows. There were 500 hospitalizations reported for flu, COVID-19 and RSV for the week ending Dec. 20, with most of them being for the flu. The same week last year, there were about 150.

Outbreaks remain lower in long-term care centers compared to previous Decembers, the data shows. There have been 68 respiratory illness outbreaks in the facilities so far this month, with more than half of them being the flu. The same month last year saw more than 100 outbreaks. However, the month isn’t over.

While the majority of those being hospitalized for the flu are ages 65 and older, kids are becoming severely ill as well, according to state data.

There have been 31 severe pediatric flu cases this year so far in New Jersey. Last season there were 149 and 5 pediatric deaths.

The CDC suggests everyone 6 months and older get vaccinated against the flu.

Symptoms of the flu include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches and fatigue.