Even as the holidays begin, the predictable flu is still in full swing, with cases rising across the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC says 13 states, including Tennessee and Louisiana, have reported high or very high levels of flu-like illness — double the number from last week. Additionally, flu-related emergency room visits and laboratory test confirmations are on the rise, which doctors say is going to be the beginning of a difficult and challenging winter to come.

Meanwhile, Louisiana is experiencing a similar increase.

Why are flu cases increasing?,

According to experts, low flu vaccination rates may be behind the increase in flu cases this season, as the CDC shows that only 41 percent of adults and children were vaccinated as of the beginning of December, while pediatric rates were the same as last year. It had decreased by 44 percent last year. Moreover, the COVID-19 vaccination rate is even lower – 21 percent for adults and 11 percent for children.

Public health officials are urging people to get flu vaccinations, especially before holiday gatherings.

However, despite this, the Louisiana Department of Health said in a statement on Friday that it was actually walking back the recommendation. Flu and Covid-19 vaccinationthe news release said.

What is flu?

According to experts, flu is a disease caused by influenza virus, which causes severe head and body pain, sore throat, fever and respiratory symptoms. Flu is most common in the winter months when many people can become sick at once.

According to experts, flu season in the Northern Hemisphere (which includes the US) – when flu cases increase dramatically – occurs from October to May. The highest number of cases usually occurs between December and February.

Are you at higher risk for complications from the flu?

According to experts, certain health conditions put you at higher risk for serious illness from the flu, including life-threatening complications that require hospitalization. You have a higher risk of serious illness if you:

• Have asthma, COPD, or other chronic lung disease.
• Have a history of kidney, liver, neurological, heart or blood vessel disease, including stroke.
• Have a condition that causes problems with muscle function or makes it difficult to cough, swallow, or clear fluids from your airways.
• have diabetes
• have a weak immune system
• have a blood disorder such as sickle cell disease
• Are under five years of age or over 65 years of age
• are pregnant

Flu symptoms and signs

Flu symptoms usually come on quickly and may include:

• high fever
• feeling cold
• body pain
• cough
• Headache
• sore throat
• runny or stuffy nose
• extreme fatigue and tiredness
• diarrhea and vomiting

what causes flu,

Influenza virus causes flu. Influenza A, B and C are the most common types that infect people. Influenza A and B are seasonal (most people get it in the winter) and have more severe symptoms. Influenza C does not cause serious symptoms and is not seasonal – the number of cases remains roughly the same throughout the year.

H1N1 swine flu and H1N5 bird flu are both subtypes of influenza A.

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