Flu "Widespread" in RI, 7 Deaths Reported

The flu is now widespread across the country, and already has caused the deaths of 22 children nationwide, according to the latest statistics released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rhode Island health authorities said flu is "widespread" in the state, with seven deaths being reported during the 2018-2019 season, all but one of them in patients over 65.

Rhode Island is one of 17 states reporting "high" flu activity to the CDC. Hospitals reported 285 new cases to the state during the week ending Jan. 19, bringing to 1,045 the number of cases reported so far this season.

The CDC said in a statement earlier this month that while it's not possible to predict how severe the current season will be, severity indicators are lower than they were at the same point during the 2017-18 flu season.

FDA Director Scott Gottlieb has said that the H1N1 of swine flu strain tends to peak late in the season, but that the current vaccine is 60 percent effective or more against it.

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The flu can cause serious illness, hospitalization and death. The groups most at risk are older adults, very young children, pregnant women and those with certain chronic medical conditions, according to the CDC.

You can use the CDC's flu vaccine finder to locate a pharmacy or clinic near you that provides the vaccine:

According to the CDC, symptoms of the flu include:

• Fever or feeling feverish/chills (Though not everyone with flu will have a fever)
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle or body aches
• Headaches
• Fatigue (tiredness)
• Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.

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