Flu season update - Hint It's worse:
Bottom Line: The usual peak of the flu season is the week between Christmas and the New Year. With most people getting together with friends and loved ones - the opportunity to spread sickness reaches its maximum window of opportunity to make the rounds quickly. While those holidays and related gatherings happen every year, the lack of the effectiveness of the flu vaccine, is potentially on track to tie the record low effective rate of the 2004-2005 flu season (just 10%).
That's important because you need to know that if you've had the flu shot - you need to be just as careful around others as those who haven't. The odds are your shot won't save you from the flu if you happen to be exposed. As we're getting going in 2018 we have a new round of info out of the CDC on the proliferation of the flu. Here are a few takeaways:
Flu season is now likely the worst since the 2014-2015 season (the worst of this decade)
26 States are now at high risk (up from 21 a month ago)
5.8% of people now have the flu (up from 4.9% previously)
This year's flu symptoms include: Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, nasal issues, body aches, headaches, fatigue and potential vomiting and diarrhea
As always, the CDC is still recommending a flu shot just in case but the safest bet regardless is simply avoiding all who are experiencing some of those symptoms.