Flu Activity Spreads Across 35 States: CDC

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that flu activity has been active in approximately 35 states, with just 25 of those states affected in the last week alone.

In fact, since October, there have been 2,622 nation-wide hospitalizations related to this season's flu virus. The number increased by up to 50 percent from last week's estimate of 1,039 hospitalizations, according to the health organization. The CDC found that those most affected by the flu tend to be people aged 18 to 64, who make up roughly 61.5 percent of the cases. However, last year's flu season showed that seniors over the age of 65 were particularly vulnerable when it came to this health issue.

"High levels of flu activity are likely to continue for several weeks. If you have not gotten your flu vaccination yet this season, you should get one now," the CDC said, according to the New York Daily News.

Dr. Ron Chapman, the director of the California Department of Public Health, adds that "Our flu season may not peak for several more weeks, so I encourage everyone to get vaccinated to protect not only themselves, but those with whom they come into contact."

Throughout the country, several states have reported young and healthy casualties due to the disease. There have been 21 deaths due to the flu in North Carolina alone, 19 of which were young and middle-aged adults. However, health officials note that a number of those who died from the flu had underlying health conditions that may have exacerbated the condition.

Medical professionals continue to suggest that everyone, young and old alike, get vaccinated against the flu in order to prevent the possibility of further complications.