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Flu Tracker

See the flu season report in your state

Content based on CDC-published information.

Key

  • No Activity
    Whew! No laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza and no reported increases in the number of cases of influenza-like illness.
  • Sporadic
    Small numbers of laboratory-confirmed influenza cases or a single laboratory-confirmed influenza outbreak have been reported. The good news: there's no increase in cases of influenza-like illness.
  • Local
    An area to keep a careful eye on: Outbreaks of influenza or increases in influenza-like illness cases and recent laboratory-confirmed influenza have popped up in a single region of the state.
  • Regional
    Looks like there's outbreaks of influenza or increases in influenza-like illness, or else recent laboratory-confirmed influenza. This has happened in least two but still less than half the regions in this state, with recent laboratory evidence of influenza.
  • Widespread
    The flu is on a roll, with outbreaks of influenza or increases in influenza-like illness cases and recent laboratory-confirmed influenza in at least half the regions of the state.

This information represents the geographic spread of influenza and influenza-like illness, which is reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention weekly by state health officials.

Flu IQ

Content based on CDC-published information.

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Flu News

Content based on CDC-published information.
Why get vaccinated against influenza (flu)?

Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory disease that can lead to serious complications, hospitalization, or even death. Anyone can get the flu, and vaccination is the single best way to protect against influenza. Even healthy children and adults can get very sick from the flu and spread it to family and friends.

Flu viruses are constantly changing. Each flu season, different flu viruses can spread. Getting vaccinated against the flu every season protects against the three influenza viruses that research indicates will cause the most illness this season. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the flu vaccine as the first and most important step in preventing flu.

read more at the CDC (view PDF)
Flu is a serious contagious disease that can lead to hospitalization and even death.

CDC urges you to take the following actions to protect yourself and others from influenza (the flu):

  1. Take time to get a flu vaccine.
  2. Take everyday preventive actions to stop the spread of germs.
  3. Take flu antiviral drugs if your doctor prescribes them.
read more at the CDC
Flu is a serious contagious disease that can lead to hospitalization and even death.

Flu is more likely to cause severe illness in pregnant women than in women who are not pregnant. Changes in the immune system, heart, and lungs during pregnancy make pregnant women more prone to severe illness from flu as well as hospitalizations and even death. Pregnant woman with flu also have a greater chance for serious problems for their unborn baby, including premature labor and delivery.

Flu shots will protect pregnant women, their unborn babies and even protect the baby after birth.

read more at the CDC

Although influenza activity is low in the United States during the U.S. summer months with only sporadic outbreaks, influenza viruses can circulate at high levels in other parts of the world at that time. For example, the Southern Hemisphere usually experiences its flu season from April through September, and flu activity can occur year-round in the tropics. (Visit the international flu activity page for an update on recent flu activity abroad.)

read more at the CDC

The flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses but they are caused by different viruses. Because these two types of illnesses have similar flu-like symptoms, it can be difficult to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. In general, the flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms such as fever, body aches, extreme tiredness, and dry cough are more common and intense. Colds are usually milder than the flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose. Colds generally do not result in serious health problems, such as pneumonia, bacterial infections, or hospitalizations.

read more at the CDC

Flu Facts

Vaccines subject to availability and immunizing professional on duty. State, age and health-condition restrictions vary-ask us for additional details.

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