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If you have noticed more people sniffling and sneezing around you than usual, or you’re starting to feel ill, there’s a reason for it: the flu has arrived. What’s worse, the flu shot you and your children may have received might not work as well as it has in past years. Officials at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday that this year’s shot is a good match for only about 40% of this year’s flu viruses. In good years, the vaccine can fight 70-90% of the flu bugs that are spreading.

This week, widespread flu activity was reported in 44 states, up from 31 states last week. The number of children who have died from the flu is now 10 since the official start of flu season Sept. 30, 2007.

Health officials say that those numbers are not considered alarming. Early February is typically the time of year when flu cases tend to spike. Put into perspective, the 10 pediatric deaths are about the same number as were reported at this time in the last two flu seasons.

Flu symptoms include:

• fever
• headache
• extreme fatigue
• sore throat
• a dry cough
• a runny or stuffy nose
• muscle aches
• and stomach upset including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

So what can you do to help prevent the spread of the flu? Health officials recommend frequent hand washing or the use of hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available, sneezing and coughing into your elbow, and try to avoid people who are sick. In addition, getting adequate rest and eating a balanced diet can help to prevent illness.

If you or your children do come down with the flu, stay home to avoid spreading germs. Get lots of rest, stay hydrated and increase your fluid intake. In addition, talk to your health care provider about whether you should take antiviral drugs.

Here is a link to the Center for Disease Control’s flu map, updated weekly.

Tags: , CDC, Flu season