Current Influenza Levels Now Highest Since 2009

According to the latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. influenza infections are at or near their highest levels in at least 15 years and are still rising.

The cold and flu season is in full swing as respiratory viruses circulate throughout the country. In a report released by the CDC, forty-four (44) states reported "very high" and "high" levels of the flu. So far this season, the flu has contributed to at least 24 million illnesses, 310,000 hospitalizations and 13,000 fatalities.

Six habits for staying healthy this flu season

1. Get the flu vaccine; it's not too late.

2. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue, not your hands, when sneezing or coughing.

3. If you're feeling symptoms developing, don't go to work or school. This will prevent spreading the illness to others.

4. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. If you touch something that is contaminated with germs, it can easily spread disease.

5. Clean and disinfect your home frequently, especially surfaces that are touched often, such as doorknobs and countertops.

6. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water. Scrub for 20 seconds to remove harmful germs.

For the first time this flu season, overall levels of the respiratory illness have reached "very high" activity despite a decrease in COVID-19 infections in recent months, according to the CDC. According to the CDC, the states that currently have "very high" flu levels include Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, South Carolina, Kentucky, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Connecticut and Maine.