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The CDC has started reporting influenza activity in the United States.
Some cases may not be the flu.
There are also respiratory illnesses going around, includingCOVID-19and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
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Public health laboratories in the U.S. also reported data about specimen testing to the CDC.
Of the 900 samples tested, 185 were positive for the flu.
Influenza A accounted for 62.7% of the positive flu cases, and influenza B accounted for 37.3%.
The CDC also tracks how many flu vaccines have been given each year.
While flu season is still ongoing, the numbers can change a lot.
The CDC is recommending both annual flu shots and updated COVID booster shots.
What Information Do States Report?
The CDC tracks LIL activity levels in each state and presents aweekly flu surveillance report.
What Can The Data Tell Me About Flu Activities In My State?
Data on ILI activity can give you a sense of how many people have respiratory symptoms in your state.
If you haveflu-like symptoms, call your provider to see if you should have a test.
They might want you to take antiviral medications such asTamifluto help reduce your symptoms.
How Is Flu Data Different From COVID-19 Data?
Theflu and COVID-19are different illnesses, because of different viruses, that may need different treatments.
Some specimens tested for the flu can be tested for COVID at the same time.
If a flu test is negative, a personmight need to have a COVID test.
It’s also possible for someone to have bothCOVID and the fluat the same time.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Weekly U.S. influenza surveillance report.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Weekly U.S. map: influenza summary update.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Getting the flu shot and COVID-19 vaccine at the same time.
