Flu Symptoms 2013: California Reports Moderate Activity, One Death in Jan. 6-12 Week

During the week of January 6-12, California reported moderate influenza-like-illness (ILI) activity, and recorded one death of an adult younger than 65-years old. Research has found that each laboratory tested strain in the state this week matched the vaccine, perhaps preventing the epidemic from reaching high ILI activity. So far, this season has taken the lives of five people under 65-years old. Past that age threshold, infected individuals are more susceptible to serious complications. Fortunately, no pediatric deaths have occurred this season, whereas the national total for the week reached nine children. Aside from the statistics, how can you be sure that you've contracted the flu? Let's take a deeper look.

Flu symptoms also include sore throat, headaches, and potentially diarrhea and vomiting. Infants will often experience poor circulation, lethargy, swollen glands, and a lack of appetite. The flu is contagious and can be spread through communal surfaces or objects, coughing, sneezing, or talking nearby others. Once infected, most people have the ability to sicken others between five and seven days after symptoms become apparent. The illness can also be transferred up to one day before any effects are felt. However, the CDC clarifies that "young children and people with weakened immune systems might be able to infect others for an even longer time."

Although the common cold shares symptoms with the flu, it's less severe by nature. Cold symptoms include stuffy nose, body aches, tiredness, mild fever, and rarely necessitate hospitalizations. Flu patients experience more intense fevers, severe lethargy, and generally a greater discomfort caused by body aches.

Pneumonia can be caused by the cold or flu, and often cause chills, fever, chest pain, intense abdominal pain, nausea, muscle aches, vomiting, excessive phlegm, dry cough, and shortness of breath. The University of Maryland Medical Center explains that emergency symptoms include bloody phlegm, high fever, bluish-toned skin, heavy breathing, confusion, weight loss, and rapid heart rate.

Influenza Like Activity Levels State-by-State

High ILI Activity: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, and Wyoming, New York City

Moderate ILI Activity: Arizona, California, Iowa, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, West Virginia, and Wisconsin

Low ILI Activity: Alaska, Florida, Hawaii, Nevada, South Carolina, South Dakota, and Washington

Minimal ILI Activity: Kentucky, Maine, and Montana

Insufficient Data: District of Columbia.