Info from the Centers for Disease Control suggests this winter will be the worst cold and flu season in the past 10 years, as more than 40 states have already reported widespread influenza-related visits at clinics and hospitals. Flu-related searches on Google have also risen each week since early December and are now about 200 percent higher than one year ago.

“This year’s strain appears to be similar to the one we saw back in 2003,” said ISI Group health care analyst Ross Muken in an e-mail to CNBC. “Flu hit early that season and was quite severe.”

A bad flu season is good news for drug stores, however. Walgreens reported 5.5 million flu shots administered by the end of December—up from 5.3 million at the same time last year. Increased over-the-counter medications also spells increased profits for companies such as CVS and Rite Aid.

A less-obvious benefactor of the flu season is Kleenex-maker Kimberly-Clark, as well as other facial tissue manufacturers, such as Puffs’ producer Proctor & Gamble. More sniffles equal more sales and a bigger quarter for the companies.

[Image via Shutterstock]

Samantha Lile

Samantha Lile is a 2002 Missouri State University graduate of journalism and mass media. She has served as a reporter and editor for various newspapers throughout her journalism career. She made the leap into writing full-time after working for a major financial institution since 2000.

Because of her banking background, Samantha is knowledgeable in finance reporting, but is also strong in commentaries, personal profiles, youth studies, horticulture, history and entertainment-related works.

Samantha lives in Ozark, Mo. with her husband of nine years, four dogs and two cats.

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