Flu Season Peak Approaching

According to the CDC, 35 states are reporting widespread flu activity. To be considered widespread, flu activity needs to be reported in more than 50 percent of a state's geographic regions. The most severe activity is in the South and Southwest.

According to the CDC, this year's flu season is less severe than last year's and is fairly typical. The only thing out of the ordinary is that the most common strain of flu this year is H1N1. After causing a pandemic in 2009, H1N1 has established itself in the human population and is no longer referred to as swine flu. In fact, it's become so common that it was included in this year's vaccine.

Typically, the flu continues to spread in January and peaks either in January or February before tapering off.

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CDC: New Strain of Swine Flu Spreading through Midwest

According to the CDC, a new strain of swine flu in humans is spreading - right here in the Midwest. Since mid-July, 152 cases of the illness have been found: 120 in Indiana, 30 in Ohio, one in Illinois and one in Hawaii. The CDC expects that this number will continue to rise.

In Indiana, the illness is mostly being seen in people 16 years old and younger. According to the state's health commissioner, these cases are largely tied to close or indirect exposure to swine, often at state or county fairs. In other instances, the illness was spread from the swine to farmers or veterinarians.

Swine flu is spread like any other flu: when someone coughs or sneezes, droplets are spread onto surfaces. Hand hygiene is one of the most effective ways of preventing transmission.

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