Flu Season on the Rise
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Fuse/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — The flu is on the rise in some Southern states, and it may soon be spreading across the country.
In the Houston area, six people have died from the H1N1 strain, commonly known as “swine flu,” and high influenza activity has also been reported in Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
But the flu soon may be on the move.
ABC News Chief Health and Medical Editor Dr. Richard Besser says as the holiday season continues and travel increases, the disease may spread.
According to Dr. Besser, the best way to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated. “It’s better to get vaccinated early, but even on those states that are reporting high levels of flu activity, it’s not too late to get protected,” he added.
Dr. Besser says those at the greatest risk for flu and for bad complications of the flu are pregnant women, those with underlying medical conditions, chronic conditions like heart disease or asthma, the very young, and the very old.
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