The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have a U.S. weekly surveillance report. As of last week, the rate of death due to flu with pneumonia reached a level above what is considered an epidemic threshold.
In addition, 9 out of 10 U.S. regions showed elevated levels of influenza-like illness. 47 states have a reported widespread level of the flu.
What can you do to prevent yourself or your family from getting the flu?
Get vaccinated. The vaccine has been available since late last August, so it may not be as readily available. However, nowadays you have more locations where you can get the vaccine. You can go to your doctor, your child’s pediatrician, a local pharmacy, or the health department.
Good old-fashioned hand washing is helpful, as flu droplets may linger on countertops and other objects.
Lastly, it may sound simple, but stay away from people who are coughing or appear to have cold symptoms. What looks like a cold one day, may reveal itself to be the flu on the next day. Flu is contagious from 1 day before symptoms develop & 5-7 days after flu symptoms start.
The CDC’s U.S. weekly influenza activity map & weekly surveillance report are available. For more information on the flu, go to http://www.cdc.gov/flu.
