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Flu season update

Learn a little more...with a link!

Website Article: Kids Health, Flu, Should You Go to School | Do you have the flu?

Website Article: Science Buddies, Shoo, Flu!: Vaccine Science | Not too late to get the flu shot

Website Article: Centers for Disease Control, Preventing the Flu: Good Health Habits Can Help Stop Germs | Six ways to stop germs.

Read the script:

FLU IS SHORT FOR INFLUENZA. IT’S AN INFECTION OF THE RESPIRATORY OR BREATHING PASSAGES CAUSED BY A VIRUS. SYMPTOMS INCLUDE FEELY ACHY AND TIRED, COUGHING, AND HAVING A SORE THROAT. REPORTER JOHN LORINC HAS THE DETAILS ABOUT THIS YEAR’S OUTBREAK.

 

JOHN: MANY PEOPLE STARTED THE NEW YEAR WITH A BAD CASE OF THE FLU.

DR. WILLIAM SCHAFFNER/VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR OF PREVENTIVE MEDICINE

"WE'RE IN FOR A VERY SUBSTANTIAL INFLUENZA SEASON."

THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION REPORTS WIDESPREAD FLU ACTIVITY IN 46 STATES.

OFFICIALS SAY THIS FLU COULD BE AS SEVERE AS THE 2014-2015 SEASON, WHICH WAS THE MOST SEVERE IN YEARS.

THE H-3-N-2 VIRUS IS THE MAIN STRAIN MAKING PEOPLE SICK, AND IT'S TOUGH TO FIGHT.

DR. SHARON WELBEL/COOK COUNTY HEALTH AND HOSPITALS SYSTEM

"THAT STRAIN OF FLU TENDS TO CHANGE MORE RAPIDLY THAN OTHER STRAINS FROM THE TIME WE KNOW IT'S CIRCULATING TO THE TIME THE VACCINE IS MADE."

TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, SOME PHARMACIES ARE DEALING WITH TEMPORARY SHORTAGES OF FLU MEDICATIONS, DUE TO DEMAND.

THE C-D-C SAYS YOU CAN HELP LIMIT THE SPREAD OF THE FLU BY....

WASHING HANDS OFTEN AND DISINFECTING SPOTS THAT ARE TOUCHED FREQUENTLY.

AND OF COURSE, OFFICIALS SAY IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO GET A FLU SHOT.