Flu Activity Decreases Slightly

Our interactive map tracks the geographic spread of both seasonal influenza and the 2009 influenza A (H1N1 or swine flu) viruses.

Find out what you can do to fight the flu.

Our flu tracker lists the spread of the flu in four categories:

None: the flu is absent or was not reported
Low: sporadic cases are reported
Medium: regional cases are reported
High: the flu is widespread

When Should You Get Your Flu Shot?
Here's what the CDC says, "October or November is the best time to get vaccinated, but you can still get vaccinated in December and later. Flu season can begin as early as October and last as late as May."

Who Needs the Shot?
Almost anyone who wants to reduce the chance of getting the flu can get a flu shot. Some people should get vaccinated every year, including:

Children aged 6 months up to their 19th birthday

Pregnant women

People 50 years of age and older

People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions

People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities

People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:

Health care workers
Household contacts of people at high risk for complications from the flu
Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)

This year, some groups also are being urged to get the vaccine to protect against H1N1 (swine) flu. They are:

Pregnant women
People who live with or care closely for one or more infants under the age of 6 months
Ambulance, clinic and hospital workers
Young people, between the ages of 6 months and 24 years
People between the ages of 25 and 64 who have a chronic medical illness, such as diabetes, lung disease, or one that suppresses your immune system

Smart Precautions
It's also smart to do whatever you can to avoid getting sick. Follow these steps:

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Keep your distance from others if you are sick.
If possible, stay home from work, school and errands when you are sick, and don't send your children to child care or school if they are sick.
Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
Clean your hands often.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth to help prevent infection from germs that are on your hands.

Influenza typically kills more than 36,000 Americans each year, including some children and many senior citizens. It can affect people of all ages. Most people who get influenza will have a mild illness. They might miss a day or two of school or work, but most will recover with no problem.

Although most cases of influenza can be treated safely at home, CDC officials said it's important to know when to seek a doctor's care.

The CDC says children or adults with flu should see a doctor if:

They experience rapid breathing or difficulty in breathing
They can't or won't drink enough fluids
Fever remains high for more than four days
Skin color changes to a bluish tone
The patient becomes lethargic or especially irritable
The mental state becomes altered, such as feeling confused or faint
Chest pain or discomfort occurs
Symptoms go away and then come back worse, which may indicate a new bacterial infection such as pneumonia

The Bird Flu
U.S. officials have expressed concern about outbreaks of flu that have killed many thousands of birds in an increasing number of countries, mostly in Asia. This type of flu has infected more than 120 people who were in close contact with infected birds. The death rate for infected people has been about 50%.

Bird (avian) flu has not been reported in the United States, and it does not spread easily from person to person. However, health officials worldwide worry that at some point the virus could change genetically in ways that would allow it to spread rapidly among people. Officials do not expect such a change any time soon, but they are developing plans in order to be prepared.

Check out our interactive flu map.