Brutal flu season stretches on
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The U.S. is weathering its worst flu season in years, and Tennessee is among the hardest hit states.
Nearly every state is reporting high or very high flu activity, according to the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. Tennessee currently falls in the highest bracket.
Why it matters: The virus is causing more severe complications and hitting young children especially hard.
- "The two predominant strains that are circulating right now are known to be more severe and have more severe outcomes, especially in high-risk patients," said Carol McLay, president of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology.
By the numbers: There have been at least 68 flu deaths among children this season. Two pediatric deaths have been confirmed in Tennessee.
The bottom line: There's a lot of respiratory virus still going around this season. If you haven't gotten the vaccine yet, experts say it's not too late to get one.