The dreaded flu season is upon us and this year the H1N1 virus, which emerged in 2009 to cause a pandemic, is the predominant strain. H1N1 has reached the epidemic threshold as of this past week and is now widespread in 40 states.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) monitors influenza activity in the United States and offers updates on a weekly basis. According to the most recent update H1N1 activity level remains high across the board as the number of hospitalizations and deaths caused by the virus continue to rise.

H1N1 is now widespread in 40 states, up from 35 the previous week. Widespread means that more than half of the geographic region of a state is reporting flu activity.

These states include: Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

Hospitals continue to see increasing numbers of patients infected by the virus this season. Since Oct. 1, 2013 there have been approximately 433,320 hospitalizations due to the flu.

Although the CDC doesn't make available the specific statistics on mortalities that are the result of the flu, it has confirmed that the number of flu-related deaths in the 2013-2014 season has moved above the epidemic threshold. This means that deaths related to the flu in excess of the number that are expected are occurring.

The CDC does track the exact number of pediatric deaths caused by the flu with 10 having occurred in the past week. This brings the total number of children killed by the flu this season to 20.

According to the CDC, most people who contract H1N1 are likely to experience only mild symptoms. There are, however, some groups of high-risk people that are more likely to get flu complications that may result in hospitalizations and death.

Those considered high risk include children under the age of five, adults 65 and older, pregnant women, American Indians and Native Alaskans and people who suffer from specific medical conditions. These include asthma, lung disease, heart disease, blood disorders, endocrine disorders and kidney and liver disorders.

So how do you know if you've got it? Flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue, vomiting and diarrhea.

The CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine to prevent infection. However, if you do get the flu your doctor can prescribe antiviral medications to treat your illness. These drugs can make illness milder and shorten the time you are sick. They can also prevent serious flu complications including pneumonia.

---

For the latest news & updates, follow reporter Bary Alyssa Johnson on Twitter: @MissBary