Here’s a look at how the flu virus infects the body and produces symptoms.Â
This year’s flu season is already the most widespread on record since health officials began keeping track 13 years ago, and has already caused the deaths of more children than what normally would be expected at this time of the year, federal health officials have said.
During the second week of January, more people sought care for flulike illnesses than at any comparable period in nearly a decade, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s most recent weekly report shows. Ten children died in the week ending Jan. 13, bringing the total number of pediatric deaths this flu season to 30. More than 8,900 people have been hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed influenza since the season started Oct. 1. The flu activity indicators are notable for the sheer volume and intensity of flu that is taking place in most of the country at the same time.
Reporter Lena H. Sun has been talking to health officials over the past several weeks about this flu season. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions:
