ATLANTA (AP) - State health officials say the number of people hospitalized with flu symptoms in metro Atlanta has soared in recent weeks, the latest sign of a widespread flu outbreak. The Georgia Department of Public Health reports that 244 people were hospitalized during a recent four-week period in metro Atlanta.

During the same four-week period last year, there were just eight hospitalizations, heath department spokeswoman Nancy Nydam said. Dr. Patrice Harris, director of Fulton County Health Services and a district health director, said last season was considered a mild one for flu activity. During the H1N1 pandemic of 2009, there were 127 hospitalizations during the same four-week period. The hospitalizations underscore the severity of the flu, which is striking Georgia harder this season than at any time in the past decade.

NEW YORK (AP) - A large study offers reassuring news for pregnant women worried about getting a flu shot. The research found no evidence that the vaccine increases the risk of losing a fetus, and may prevent some fetal deaths. The flu vaccine has long been considered safe for pregnant women. U.S. health officials began recommending flu shots for them more than five decades ago.

Experts say the new study is perhaps largest look at the safety and value of flu shots during pregnancy. The study was released by the New England Journal of Medicine on Wednesday as the United States and Europe suffer through an early and intense flu season.

ATLANTA (AP) - House Speaker David Ralston is turning up the heat as state lawmakers consider whether to extend a high-profile hospital industry tax that generates more than $600 million for state health care spending. In an interview Thursday, the Blue Ridge Republican did not explicitly endorse the details of a proposal from the hospital industry to tweak but continue the tax on net patient revenue. It expires this year.

However, Ralston endorsed the concept, and says lawmakers should not be swayed by political pressure from groups threatening to campaign against legislators for raising taxes. The General Assembly convenes Monday for its annual session. The financing scheme uses the hospital money to secure federal support for Medicaid. Ralston says without that arrangement, several hospitals in Georgia would have to close.

NEW YORK (AP) - Health officials say flu is more widespread across the nation, but the number of hard-hit states has declined. Flu season started early this winter, and includes a strain that tends to make people sicker. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday said flu was widespread in 47 states last week, up from 41 the week before. But many cases may be mild. The only states without widespread flu are California, Mississippi and Hawaii.

The hardest hit states dropped to 24 from 29. So far, 20 children have died from the flu. There is no running tally of adult deaths, but the CDC estimates that the flu kills about 24,000 people in an average year. Experts say it's too early to say if this is a bad year.

The American Cancer Society says there now is enough evidence to recommend screening certain older, heavy smokers for lung cancer. The society is releasing new guidelines Friday for annual CT lung scans. But they are only recommended for people ages 55 to 74 who have smoked a pack of cigarettes a day for 30 years or the equivalent, such as two packs a day for 15 years. Research shows that screening these people can cut the risk of dying of lung cancer by 20 percent.

Whether screening would help others is not known, so scans are not recommended for them. Before patients decide whether to be screened, the guidelines say they should have a frank talk about risks and benefits with their doctors.