Flu season starting to heat up

CDC says get vaccinated now

By Ashley Mitchem - Reporter/anchor , Nick Jones - Producer

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - It's off to a slow start nationwide, but strands of the flu are spiking in southern parts of the U.S.

Five deaths have already been reported in Texas, and the most predominant strand of flu so far is H1N1, also known as swine flu.

Florida is expected to see more cases pop up after the first of the year, and doctors like Elizabeth Devos say flu season is typically pretty long.

"We mostly see it between October and as far as into May, but the biggest time we see it is in January and February," said Devos. 

Devos said the biggest red flags are symptoms like fevers greater than 102 degrees, breathing problems, body aches, nausea and vomiting. She said the best way to protect is by getting a flu vaccine.

"H1N1 is also known as influenza A, and it's a very common type of flu," said Devos. "It's one of the three or four major strands that are covered by a flu vaccine."

The flu is typically a bigger threat to those over the age of 65, as well as very young children and people with chronic medical conditions. But it's recommended that everyone six months and older get a flu vaccination. 
