Doctor Ashton, good morning, how severe is the flu we are seeing at this point of the season? 

 

In terms of the severity it's really the same severity that we've been seen so far. The flu season has period we expect that happen in January and February. But what's changed recently is how many states are affected as you said, now ten states reporting wild spread flu activity that's up  from four. And if you look them at map it's everywhere from Alaska and Wyoming to New York and right here in Massachusetts. 

 

That's interesting to see how spread-out it is. What flu string is predominate and what are signs and symptoms of this particular string?

 

So fat what's states are reporting to the CDC and local health officers are the influenza H1N1 string. This is the string that cause the pain epidemic in 2009. It's contained in this year's flu vaccine so it's well matched to the circulating string and we have to  remember the symptoms are not settle this cause very high fever,severe headache, chest pain, body aches, cough, you can remain sick for a week and remain contagious for up to a week after that. There already have been dots and fortunately we do expect it to be more.

 

That's easy, if you get the flu you are not gonna be questioning whether you have the flu that won't be settle as you said? Here is the question you hear it all the time especially we get this point in the season, is it too late to get vaccinated? 

 

Absolutely not. It is not too late to vaccinate. We remember the flu season goes up until April. There is plenty of vaccinate available about 145 million douse we  made this year. It does take about two weeks for you to get that new protections so you should talk to you clinic your pharmacy your doctor about getting that vaccine right now. And you know we have to remembering this is not a bad cold. I actually had H1N1 a few years ago, I don't smoke I do not have Asama and I thought I was gonna die. It's very serious and needs to be taken seriously.

 

I think I remember that really knocked you out. Doctor Ashton thank you very much again just hammer home that point it is not too late to get vaccine, this is real staff.

 

Especially for the young and elderly across the county as well.