Influenza activity has increased in the United States and most of the country is now experiencing high levels of influenza-like-illness (ILI), according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s latest report. As of December 29, Texas, along with 41 other states, reported high "widespread" levels of ILI and urged residents to either receive the flu shot or antiviral treatment.
The flu, a contagious respiratory illness, infects the nose, throat and lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness.
The 2012-2013 season is shaping up to be one of the worst flu seasons, according to officials from the CDC. Local MinuteClinic’s, the medical clinic in CVS, are receiving anywhere from 60-98 patients every day complaining of flu-like symptoms.
People who have the flu show some or all of these signs and symptoms:
- Fever
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle or body aches
- Headaches
- Fatigue
The single best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccine each season, said CDC officials. There are two types of flu vaccines:
- Flu shots — inactivated vaccines (containing killed virus) that are given with a needle. There are three flu shots being produced for the United States market now.
- The nasal-spray flu vaccine — a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that is given as a nasal spray.
Flu vaccination began in early September this year and will continue throughout the flu season which could last as late as March. Most of the time, according to CVS’s MinuteClinic doctors, seasonal flu activity peaks in the months of January and February.
"We're asking those who are waiting in line at the MinuteClinic to help us reduce the spread of illness," said a CVS MinuteClinic representative. "If you are coughing, we ask that you please wear a mask in consideration of others. Masks, hand sanitizer and tissues are provided at all of our kiosks."
For more information about how to protect yourself from the flu this year or about the CDC's findings, please click here.