Here in Maine, the weather has been swinging between seasonable to warm to downright frigid already. And most of the state has already experienced at least one snowstorm. This isn’t out of the ordinary for Vacationland, but what is unusual is the flu season that has already arrived.
For the last few weeks, folks in Maine have been experiencing a few more sniffles and coughs than usual. That might be the result of the early instances of flu that are being reported across the country.
cdc.gov The CDC has reported that the potentially dangerous illness is already considered widespread in at least 16 states. Right now Maine is still considered “regional,” meaning there’s been an increase in what’s considered normal across more than two regions but it’s still seen in less than half of the state.
The typical peak of flu season happens in February, but right now it’s predicted to reach high levels this month. Already there have been about two million cases documented in 2019.
wfiupublicradio / Flickr
Flu types are separated into two categories. To date in 2019, the more prevalent type has been Influenza B. This affects people 24 years old and younger. The other type, Influenza A, is more commonly seen in the elderly population.
sanofi-pasteur / Flickr
If you get the flu you’re likely to experience chills, fever, sore throat, cough, runny or stuffy nose, sore muscles, headache, and fatigue. In some cases, there’s vomiting and diarrhea.
rebeccacbrown13 / Flickr
The good news is that there are a few good ways to prevent the flu. First, you can get a flu shot which is often inexpensive or even free!!
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The shot can be found at drugstores across the state or at your doctor’s office.
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This time of year it can be hard to completely avoid the flu. The holidays often mean socializing and shopping at popular stores. If you do come down with flu symptoms, be sure to get plenty of rest and take the time to recover.
smilla4 / Flickr And in a state like Maine, there are plenty of places to enjoy some relaxing vibes!
To learn more about the flu and what the status is in the US for the week, check out this link from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
cdc.gov
The CDC has reported that the potentially dangerous illness is already considered widespread in at least 16 states. Right now Maine is still considered “regional,” meaning there’s been an increase in what’s considered normal across more than two regions but it’s still seen in less than half of the state.
wfiupublicradio / Flickr
sanofi-pasteur / Flickr
rebeccacbrown13 / Flickr
peigov / Flickr
pswansen / Flickr
smilla4 / Flickr
And in a state like Maine, there are plenty of places to enjoy some relaxing vibes!
Still healthy and loving the season? That’s great news! To keep it that way you might consider getting a few extra days of rest. The fairytale log cabin in Maine, Moosehead Hills Cabins, is a dreamy place to spend the night.
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Address: Maine, USA
