U.S. health officials urge everyone 6 months and older to get an annual flu shot, as flu activity surges nationwide. With 40 states reporting high or very high levels of influenza, the CDC warns that the flu virus is trending higher than other common germs like COVID-19 and RSV. The article highlights the symptoms of flu, regional variations in flu activity, and the importance of vaccination.
U.S. health officials recommend that everyone 6 months and older get an annual flu vaccination, and they say it’s not too late to get a shot.for many Americans, with 40 states reporting high or very high levels of illness last week, according to the latestOf course, there are a number of bugs that cause fever, cough, sore throat and other flu-like symptoms. One is COVID-19 .
One indicator of flu activity is the percentage of doctor’s office visits driven by flu-like symptoms. That level last week was about equal to the peak of last winter’s respiratory virus season — which occurred at the same time of year. Reed noted that most people avoid medical appointments over the holidays if they can help it, so the data in late December might be skewed by people who came down with sudden illnesses.
So far this season, the CDC estimates, there have been at least 5.3 million flu illnesses, 63,000 hospitalizations, and 2,700 deaths — including at least 11 children. You should also avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth because germs can spread that way, health officials say. You should also wash your hands with soap and water, clean frequently touched surfaces and avoid close contact with people who are sick.. The CDC says 66 human U.S. cases of that were reported last year, but none of them in the last week.
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