The traditional peak in flu activity has arrived a bit early, hitting the both the US and some EU countries hard over the holidays.
It’s certainly not as bad as the H1N1 flu pandemic of last season, but it may be picking up steam and it would be wise to get vaccinated immediately.
In England, the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) reported that incidences of flu in England and Wales reached 124 per 100,000 of the population in the week ending December 26. That is almost a 50% increase over the previous week. Mississippi has been hit particularly hard, with Puerto Rico and 13 other states reporting increased activity.
The Centers for Disease Control consider the annual flu a “serious and contagious disease.” It can lead to hospitalization and death, and while they do not expect a repeat performance of last year’s pandemic, the flu is unpredictable and it is wise to take precautions to avoid the contagion.
Flu-like symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people may also have vomiting and diarrhea. People may be infected with the flu, and have respiratory symptoms without a fever.
The CDC urges you to take the following actions to protect yourself and others from influenza:
Vaccination: Everyone 6 months of age and older should get vaccinated against the flu. Children younger than 6 months are at high risk of serious flu illness, but are too young to be vaccinated.
Prevention: Wash your hands often and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or the crook of your elbow when you cough or sneeze. Try to avoid contact with people who are sick.
Follow-Through: Get a prescription for and take the whole dosage of antiviral medication. Antiviral drugs can make illness milder and shorten the time you are sick. They may also prevent serious flu complications.
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