Offices and classrooms are filled with a cacophony of coughing this time of year.
It is the height of flu season and right now the country is in a middle of a surge. The Center for Disease Control says flu activity is higher this year than last year and considerably more widespread within each state. According to the CDC, flu cases peak between December and March, sometimes lasting until May.
The flu is being blamed for the death of a San Luis Obispo County man who was only in his thirties. While health officials say he had an underlying factor that put him at high risk for the virus, they warn this year's flu activity is much higher than last year's.
The CDC says California is one of 40 states with high flu activity. With more than 25,000 cases reported nationwide, influenza has killed at least 15 children so far this season.
"That's why we really want to get the message out that the flu can be deadly at any age and any circumstances," said Dr. Penny Borenstein, San Luis Obispo County Public Heath.
While San Luis Obispo County reports the man in his thirties as the first flu-related death in the county, they say there have been more which haven't been officially reported.
"That's because, in the state of California, only people under the age 65, health care providers are required to make the county health department know," said Dr. Borenstein.
Hospitals have admitted to being inundated with flu cases. The flu has claimed at least two lives for people over the age of 65 in San Luis Obispo County and one man is his eighties in Santa Barbara County.
Health officials say the worst may be yet to come.
"Typically, it peaks in January or February, and that's what we are seeing. We are not seeing any slowing down as of right now," said Dr. Borenstein.
Health officials say this increase could be because the flu is hitting the most vulnerable of places -- long-term care facilities. Doctors also warn the type of strain we are seeing is part of the problem.
"The dominate one we are seeing this year, influenza Type A H3, is known to be more severe in its illness than we've seen in recent years," said Dr. Borenstein.
The CDC says this year's vaccine is a good match for the virus and emphasizes it's not too late to get the shot to protect you and others.
If you have an egg allergy you may can't receive the vaccine or has to be administered by a specialist. someone brought me a present from AZ. Stay healthy brehs
It is the height of flu season and right now the country is in a middle of a surge. The Center for Disease Control says flu activity is higher this year than last year and considerably more widespread within each state. According to the CDC, flu cases peak between December and March, sometimes lasting until May.
The flu is being blamed for the death of a San Luis Obispo County man who was only in his thirties. While health officials say he had an underlying factor that put him at high risk for the virus, they warn this year's flu activity is much higher than last year's.
The CDC says California is one of 40 states with high flu activity. With more than 25,000 cases reported nationwide, influenza has killed at least 15 children so far this season.
"That's why we really want to get the message out that the flu can be deadly at any age and any circumstances," said Dr. Penny Borenstein, San Luis Obispo County Public Heath.
While San Luis Obispo County reports the man in his thirties as the first flu-related death in the county, they say there have been more which haven't been officially reported.
"That's because, in the state of California, only people under the age 65, health care providers are required to make the county health department know," said Dr. Borenstein.
Hospitals have admitted to being inundated with flu cases. The flu has claimed at least two lives for people over the age of 65 in San Luis Obispo County and one man is his eighties in Santa Barbara County.
Health officials say the worst may be yet to come.
"Typically, it peaks in January or February, and that's what we are seeing. We are not seeing any slowing down as of right now," said Dr. Borenstein.
Health officials say this increase could be because the flu is hitting the most vulnerable of places -- long-term care facilities. Doctors also warn the type of strain we are seeing is part of the problem.
"The dominate one we are seeing this year, influenza Type A H3, is known to be more severe in its illness than we've seen in recent years," said Dr. Borenstein.
The CDC says this year's vaccine is a good match for the virus and emphasizes it's not too late to get the shot to protect you and others.
If you have an egg allergy you may can't receive the vaccine or has to be administered by a specialist. someone brought me a present from AZ. Stay healthy brehs
