Be Careful! Alabama Flu Activity Amongst The Top 4 In The Nation

It seems like there is an increase in efforts to have residents in Alabama take their flu shots. With these recent numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more Alabamians should be taking their shots.

Recently, the CDC released their weekly Influenza summary update showing activity levels of the flu throughout the country.

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According to the CDC, this system monitors visits for respiratory illness that includes fever plus a cough or sore throat, also referred to as ILI, not laboratory confirmed influenza and may capture patient visits due to other respiratory pathogens that cause similar symptoms.

The update which was last reviewed on December 22nd, showed the state of Alabama to have "very high" flu activity levels.

In fact, Alabama is in the top four for the most flu activity in the nation.

According to Yahoo News, flu and other respiratory illnesses account for nearly 10% of all emergency department visits. Yahoo news also stated that the most recent data reported to Alabama's Syndromic Surveillance Program shows more than six and a half percent of emergency room visits in the State were due to Influenza-like illnesses the week ending Dec. 16.

Seasonal influenza season which runs from October through May according to ADPH. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends everyone six months and older get a flu vaccination in September or October, but getting vaccinated anytime during the flu season can provide protection. Flu vaccines can reduce flu illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths.