Flu activity continued to decrease in the United States for week 9 of this years influenza season according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but South Dakota and Iowa continue to report widespread flu activity that isn't letting up just yet.

We talk to nurses and doctors every day, but you don't have to know a health professional to know that this year has been a bad one for the flu and flu-like illnesses. If you haven't gotten what's going around, consider yourself lucky. Either that or you have been extremely diligent about washing your hands!

The CDC has reported 32 pediatric flu related deaths so far this season.
In South Dakota 3 people have died from influenza
The Iowa Department of Health reports 3 children died from flu. 

The last reporting week, week 9 (ending 3/1/08) in South Dakota, 58 cases of influenza were confirmed, totaling 434 this season.
44 people were hospitalized for it, a total of 199 this season
Children and the elderly are being hit the hardest.

In Iowa, cases of influenza are still occurring in all age groups with 19 confirmed cases last week, 28 went to the hospital. The numbers started peaking in mid-February and have stayed at that level for several weeks. State Epidemiologist Meghan Harris told KSFY they are starting to see a slow decrease in the numbers now.

The most common symptoms of influenza are fever, headache, fatigue, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion and body aches.
Vomiting, diarrhea and a stomach ache are not symptoms of influenza so if you are experiencing those more than likely you have the stomach flu. Which is also contagious, so stay home and rest.

And that's what's going around the week of March 10th.