Feb 5, 2009 11:03 pm US/Eastern
Don't Let Your Guard Down! Flu Is On The Rise
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
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The Massachusetts Department of Public Health warns people to not let their guard down as the number of cases of the flu continues to rise.
Officials said it's normal for cases to spike this time of the year when the flu season is nearing its peak, which is typically in February or early March. There are currently 1,100 reported cases of the flu in Massachusetts.
Flu activity is starting to increase
across the country as well.
GET A FLU VACCINE
The best way to prevent the flu is get a vaccine, and officials say it's not too late.
Find a flu shot clinic near you
WASH YOUR HANDS
To avoid getting the flu,
handwashing is very important, as well as avoiding close contact with those who are ill.
COVER YOUR MOUTH
Sick or well, always cover your cough -- use your arm to stifle a cough, not your hand.
STAY HOME WHEN YOU ARE SICK
If you do get sick, health officials say stay home to prevent others from catching and spreading the virus.
As of Jan. 24, only two states have reported widespread flu activity, and 14 states, including Massachusetts, have reported regional activities.
VIRUS BUILDING RESISTENCE TO ANTIVIRALS
The Center for Disease Control announced that the main strain of flu (influenza A H1N1) has developed resistance to the widely used antiviral medication, Tamiflu.
Fortunately, this year's flu vaccine is protective against the predominant strain circulating this year, health officials said.
Flu shots are recommended for kids ranging from six months to 18 years old, people over the age of 50, pregnant women, anyone with a compromised immune system and many health care workers.
How to tell if you have the flu or just a cold
For complete information about surveillance for influenza in Massachusetts, go to
www.mass.gov/dph/flu, and click on Seasonal Flu, then Influenza Surveillance, and then Massachusetts Surveillance Data.
For general information on influenza in multiple languages, please visit the DPH flu webpage at
http://www.mass.gov/dph/flu, or see the "Flu: What You Can Do" informational campaign at
http://tinyurl.com/FluWhatYouCanDo.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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