As we enter another influenza season, one question continues to vex medical and public health professionals: How do you stop people from catching the flu? The best way to prevent the flu is by getting an influenza vaccine every year. However, in the event of a large-scale influenza outbreak of a new virus strain or a pandemic, when influenza vaccine may not be promptly available, we will see tremendous demands on the health care system and its workers.

Influenza activity continues to increase in the United States and most of the country is now experiencing high levels of influenza-like-illness (ILI), according to CDC’s latest FluView report. “Reports of influenza-like-illness (ILI) are nearing what have been peak levels during moderately severe seasons,” according to Dr. Joe Bresee.

During flu season, when fever, aches, and chills hit, it is easy to forget one's manners.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is concerned that in order to conduct certain kinds of research into the H5N1 influenza virus, scientists could be creating newer and more dangerous forms of the virus that could ultimately pose a risk to public health.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that with flu activity currently low, it's the perfect time to get vaccinated.