Georgia has more Flu than any other state in the nation, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Flu activity in our state is moderate, while the rest of the country shows low or mild flu activity but that could change. Thanksgiving and Christmas are known to be prime times when flu starts to spread. Symptoms include fever, chills, muscle aches, cough, congestion, runny nose, headaches, and fatigue.

Adults are contagious 1-2 days before getting symptoms and up to 7 days after becoming ill. This means that you can spread the influenza virus before you even know you are infected.

The influenza virus spreads easily by airborne respiratory droplets (coughs or sneezes). By skin-to-skin contact (handshakes or hugs), saliva (kissing or shared drinks) or by touching a contaminated surface (blanket or doorknob).

There were more than 80,000 flu-related deaths in the United States last winter. People older than 65 accounted for nine out of 10, but the flu also killed 180 young children and teenagers, according to the CDC.

Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine every season, especially people at high risk. Flu can make chronic health problems worse. For example, people with asthma may experience asthma attacks while they have flu and people with chronic congestive heart failure may experience a worsening of this condition triggered by flu.

Most people with the flu have mild illness and do not need medical care or antiviral drugs. If you get sick with flu symptoms, in most cases, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people except to get medical care.