January 18th, 2013
10:25 AM ET

Flu getting worse across U.S., government reports

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has just released its weekly update on influenza in the U.S. and an early look at the data shows the problem is spreading.

Thirty states now report high levels of influenza-like illness, the CDC says. That's six more than reported high levels last week. California joins the list of states reporting widespread flu activity, meaning 48 states now report widespread flu.

Hospitalizations of elderly people are rising, according to the report.

We'll bring you more details from the report as soon as we get them.

Your top 10 flu questions answered

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soundoff (50 Responses)
  1. jay

    people with weak immune system eating mc donald burger king constantly, once they got some mucuse..they fall into the flu propagenda...lol

    January 18, 2013 at 12:53 pm | Report abuse |
  2. bobcat (in a hat)©

    Oh Mah Gawd, It must be flu season. NOOOoooooo.

    January 18, 2013 at 2:46 pm | Report abuse |
    • banasy©

      In January?
      Imagine that.

      January 18, 2013 at 5:07 pm | Report abuse |
    • bobcat (in a hat)©

      I know. Who'd a thunk it ?

      January 18, 2013 at 5:34 pm | Report abuse |
  3. Joey Isotta-Fraschini ©™

    @ Carlton:
    Do you believe that slavery and segregation caused us to have influenza in 2013?

    January 18, 2013 at 3:51 pm | Report abuse |
  4. chrissy

    Lmao @ bobcat, oh mah gawd? Thats too funny comming from you.

    January 18, 2013 at 8:19 pm | Report abuse |
  5. chrissy

    The only way anyone will be sticking me with a needle and injecting me with any kinda foreign substance is if im unconscious! And i dont get the flu very often so im not overly concerned.

    January 19, 2013 at 10:55 am | Report abuse |
  6. bobcat (in a hat)©

    Here is two sure fire ways to handle the flu, once infected

    (1) Go to see your doctor so he can tell you that you have the flu and write you expensive prescriptions to help you feel better. Approximate cost – $60.00 for the office visit + $50.00 (at least) for prescriptions = $110.00. Take prescriptions as instucted, and in 7 – 10 days you should feel better.
    OR
    (2) Go to local pharmacy and purchase products to reduce symptoms of flu. Approximate cost – Trip to pharmacy, maybe $2.00 (depending on distance you have to drive) + $10.00 – $15.00 for product =$17.00. Take product as instructed and in 7 – 10 days you should feel better.

    January 19, 2013 at 11:21 am | Report abuse |
    • bobcat (in a hat)©

      Realizing that it's going to take 7 – 10 days to start feeling better no matter how much you spend = PRICELESS

      Disclaimer – Yes I realize some people are in need for professional help because of compromised immune systems. The above was aimed at those of us who are able to fight off these diseases.

      January 19, 2013 at 11:34 am | Report abuse |
    • banasy©

      $60 for an office visit?
      You haven't gotten sick in a while, have you, darlin'?

      January 19, 2013 at 12:28 pm | Report abuse |
    • Fraser

      even better. Make a hot cup of tea (english breakfast), add freshly squeezed lemon juice, some honey and generous amount of rum or whisky, and go to bed early. cost $2-3 depending on what you already have in stock.

      January 22, 2013 at 3:01 pm | Report abuse |
  7. chrissy

    OR once you gotten the flu you curl up in bed, eat chicken soup and drink lots of fluids, watch Larry the Cable Guy and in 3 to 5 days you feel better. Total cost ZIP!

    January 19, 2013 at 12:05 pm | Report abuse |
    • banasy©

      What is Larry the Cable Guy gave you the flu in the first place?

      January 19, 2013 at 12:31 pm | Report abuse |
  8. chrissy

    Lol @ banasy, its $60 at the *free* clinic doncha know?

    January 19, 2013 at 12:31 pm | Report abuse |
  9. chrissy

    Lol banasy, now HOW would that happen?

    January 19, 2013 at 1:06 pm | Report abuse |
  10. bobcat (in a hat)©

    @ banasy

    You are right, it has been quite some time since I've had to go to the doctor. Dang, have I gotten that far out of touch with doctor costs ?

    January 19, 2013 at 4:56 pm | Report abuse |
    • banasy©

      Rawr:
      Yes, dear, you are.
      Last time I took my daughter to the Doctor's, the office visit was billed as $135.00...thank goodness for co-pay...

      January 19, 2013 at 6:11 pm | Report abuse |
    • banasy©

      Yes, you are...last time I took the kid to the clinic, it was $135 for the visit...co-pay good!

      January 19, 2013 at 6:22 pm | Report abuse |
  11. bobcat (in a hat)©

    @ chrissy

    Ah yes, the ole chicken soup scenario. Grandmas pennicillin. I don't what it is about that stuff, but it does wonders. So big doses of the chicken soup and Larry should Git Er Done.

    January 19, 2013 at 4:59 pm | Report abuse |
  12. chrissy

    Lol yup bobcat, the wonders of grandma and cable eh?

    January 19, 2013 at 5:33 pm | Report abuse |
  13. dazzle ©

    I would never get a flu shot and my friends you are right. Jewish Penicillin, Plenty of Water, and my special concoction of equal parts apple cider vinegar, honey, and hot water does the trick. My husband is a surgeon and he had a flu shot and wham he ended up with the flu. When he tasted the vinegar concoction he wanted to vomit but said it made him feel better. Poor guy was down for a week. He had to sleep in a separate room because he was so sick. So far so good for me. I'm very anal about using hand sanitizer and wiping grocery carts down with the wipes most stores provide.

    January 19, 2013 at 7:16 pm | Report abuse |
  14. lovelychange

    Do the vaccines even work? I hear that
    othe vacc that they came out with is not even compatible to the strain that is out now.

    January 21, 2013 at 1:24 am | Report abuse |
    • Rinner

      Actually, that was a rumor. According to the CDC, the flu vaccine that was administered this year is a good match for the strains that have been circulating in the community.

      January 22, 2013 at 2:48 pm | Report abuse |
    • lovelychange

      Good! I heard this from the news and people that I know. So much for the media.

      January 23, 2013 at 10:23 pm | Report abuse |
    • Bea

      Yes they work and everyone should get the flu shot. I'm living proof of what it can do to someone and many die, it's too real for me since it damaged my lungs so badly.

      January 22, 2013 at 3:19 pm | Report abuse |
    • lovelychange

      Oh wow I'm sorry. How bad did it damage your lungs?

      January 23, 2013 at 10:12 pm | Report abuse |
  15. FluMisty

    Better than the flushot!

    January 22, 2013 at 3:43 pm | Report abuse |
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