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Arizona among dozens of states with high flu activity

Thousands of Arizonans getting sick with flu
Posted at 3:57 PM, Dec 29, 2017
and last updated 2017-12-30 22:43:57-05

Flu season is well underway across the country — but Arizona is one of multiple states getting hit especially hard.

Twenty-one states are experiencing high flu activity, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.

While the flu vaccine’s effectiveness may vary, doctors still urge that everyone get it. According to recent studies, the vaccine reduces the risk of an individual catching the flu by 40- to 60-percent. 

States with “high activity” include:

Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia

According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, just this past week 1,920 flu-cases were confirmed in Arizona, which is over 1,700 more cases compared to last season.

Nationally, 12 children have died due to the flu and there have been nearly 2,500 flu-related hospitalizations, experts confirmed. 

Flu symptoms include:

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Runny nose
  • Body aches
  • Headaches
  • Fatigue 
  • Vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children)

How to avoid spreading the flu:

  • Avoiding close contact with people when you are sick
  • Stay home when you're sick to prevent spreading the viral infection to others
  • Cover your nose and mouth with coughing or sneezing
  • Wash your hands often
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth 
  • Clean and disinfect areas frequently, especially if someone you know is ill

(Source: CDC)