Flu activity on the rise in Georgia

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Flu activity is on the rise in Georgia. In the beginning of December, the state saw outbreaks of flu or increased influenza-like illness including laboratory confirmed influenza.

The CDC says flu activity peaks sometime between December and February. Health experts say the most effective method of avoiding the flu is getting a flu shot.

Michael Hokanson with the North Central Health District says, “Not only will it protect you against the flu but even if some chance you do get the flu after getting the shot, it will make sure those symptoms that you get from the flu aren’t as severe because the flu can become a serious illness if symptoms are allowed to go wild. It can even lead to death in some cases.”

According to a report by the CDC, seven children have died nationwide and more than 850 people have been hospitals.
In Georgia, there have been no flu related deaths so far in the 2017-2018 flu season.