During week 02 (1/6/13-1/12/13) influenza activity decreased in Georgia with widespread occurrences of sustained flu transmission.

• Outpatient Illness Surveillance (ILINet): The proportion of outpatient visits for ILI was 3.68% (an decrease of 0.62%), which is above the Georgia baseline of 2.8%.
• Geographic Spread of Influenza: The geographic spread of influenza in Georgia was WIDESPREAD during week 02.
• Metro Area Hospitalizations: There were 44 hospitalizations due to influenza infection. This brings the total in the Metro area to 555 on the season.
• Influenza Related Deaths: There were 0 confirmed deaths due to influenza during week 02 , for a total of 2 for the season.

Prevention & Treatment

• Get the flu vaccine each year due to high mutation rate of the virus
• Practice good hygiene and personal health habits
• Cover your mouth when while sneezing and wash your hands regularly as the virus spreads through aerosols
• Since the flu is a virus, antibiotics won’t work unless there is a secondary bacterial infection

Signs and symptoms

• High Fever
• Cough & sneezing
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Body aches, especially joints
• Headache
• Chills
• Fatigue

Symptoms usually start 1-4 days after infection

How is Influenza spread?

Primarily through respiratory droplets

• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Touching respiratory droplets on yourself, another person, or an object, then touching mucus membranes (e.g., mouth, nose, eyes) without washing hands

Steps to protect your health

• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Wash for 15– 20seconds
• Alcohol-based hand wipes or gel sanitizers are also effective
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze
• Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
• Avoid contact with sick people

If you get sick...

• Stay home if you’re sick for 7 days after your symptoms begin or until you’ve been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer
• If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible

Emergency warning signs

Most people should be able to recover at home, but watch for emergency warning signs that mean you should seek immediate medical care.

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough