It is one of the worst flu seasons in years. Chances are either you or someone you know has suffered from the flu over the last month. Now the CDC reports the numbers are so great that this season has hit “the epidemic threshold.” The CDC was scheduled to host a live stream on preparing for a nuclear attack today (that’s being rescheduled) but instead shifted the event to center in on the flu. In a statement the CDC says:

“To date, this influenza season is notable for the sheer volume of flu that most of the United States is seeing at the same time which can stress health systems. The vast majority of this activity has been caused by influenza A H3N2, associated with severe illness in young children and people 65 years and older.”

Almost every state is now facing widespread flu activity.

San Francisco Internist Dr. Pat Salber wants to make sure you don’t confuse a cold with the flu saying, “Although flu is an annoyance for most of us, it can be serious or even deadly in others. Symptoms of flu characteristically come on suddenly and usually include muscle aches, chills, cough, fever, headache and sore throat. Colds don’t usually cause fever or headaches and flu hardly ever causes an upset stomach.”

While hand washing and avoiding sick people is high on the list of flu preventions, CDC Flu director Dr. Daniel Jernigan says it’s not too late to get the flu shot. “Vaccination is our main tool to prevent flu infection and flu vaccination efforts should continue as long as flu viruses are circulating, but antiviral drugs are the most important tool for flu treatment,” said Jernigan. The CDC’s Dr. Alicia Fry points out that  “Influenza vaccination is recommended for everyone 6 months and older each year.”

Miami (FL) Pediatrician Dr. Gary Kramer, who says he hasn’t seen an outbreak like this in eight years, adds, “even if parents don’t have a great concern over their own child receiving the shot, we must all think about the public health impact of flu prevention that the vaccine has in reducing the spread to others.” He points out, “This year alone, preliminary data in Australia is suggesting less than 10% efficacy of the vaccine. Unfortunately, there is no reliable way to anticipate this. One school of thought is that most “healthy” children can combat the flu without incident and hence the vaccine is not of great value given the uncertainty of its efficacy. The other school of thought is that some protection is better than none.”

The CDC reports 20 children have already died from the flu this season.