The 2017 – 2018 flu season is one of the worst in recent years, so far resulting in 30 deaths altogether since its beginning in October.
A report from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that from October 1, 2017 to January 13, 2018, there were a total of 8,990 hospitalizations across the country that were associated with influenza, according to ABC News.
The flu and pneumonia currently account for 8.2 percent of all deaths in the United States, according to the ABC report.
Last week the CDC announced the entire continental U.S. has demonstrated widespread flu activity as of Saturday, Jan. 6. 49 of the 50 states have reported high levels of activity. Officials claim that this flu season has not hit its peak.
The CDC identified at least four different strains of influenza which have been making people ill.
Vaccines, while effective against three of the four strains, are only about 30 percent effective against H3N2 -- the most common one being spread, according to NBC News.
As reported by ABC, the flu can be spread without the action of sneezing or coughing, according to a study by the University of Maryland. Thirty-nine percent of students in the study were shown to have spread the virus through breathing alone.
Flu symptoms include fever, coughing, sore, throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue, and vomiting and diarrhea. For those who exhibit symptoms, the CDC recommends seeing a doctor within 48 hours to shorten the duration of the illness and reduce its severity, according to a Time article.
The virus can be prevented by receiving shots, washing your hands frequently, covering your mouth when sneezing or coughing and staying away from those who are ill.
“The first and most important step in preventing flu is to get a flu vaccination each year,” states the CDC website.
