Cover Those Coughs and Sneezes

INFLUENZA, or the "flu," is a respiratory disease caused by different strains of the influenza virus that circulate each year from late fall through the winter.

People may be able to pass on the flu to someone else (communicable) before they know they are sick and certainly while they are sick so it is important to

Ten states are still reporting low or minimal ILI.

Some people, especially young children and people with weakened immune systems, might be able to infect others for an even longer time.

This year's increase in influenza activity is occurring earlier than usual and has not peaked yet.

It is different from the common cold viruses that infect the upper respiratory tract but not the lungs.

Influenza can be a very serious illness with significant morbidity (illness) and mortality (death), especially among people who are compromised because of other illnesses and/or older age.

who have the flu often feel some or all of these signs and symptoms: Fever* or feeling feverish/chills Cough Sore throat Runny or stuffy nose Muscle or body aches Headaches Fatigue Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults. *may not be present People may be able to pass on the flu to someone else (communicable) before they know they are sick and certainly while they are sick so it is important to

This year's increase in influenza activity is occurring earlier than usual and has not peaked yet.

But the number one preventive measure for influenza, according to the CDC, is to get a yearly flu vaccination.