Another Swine Flu Pandemic on the Horizon?

You know the feeling. Nose is stuffed. That tickle in the back of the throat makes it painful to swallow. You feel deep soreness in the muscles.

Next thing, you’re in bed with a box of tissues.

The flu season is in full swing and it’s shaping up as a bad one. The Centers for Disease Control’s weekly influenza summary update for the week ending Dec. 28 shows almost all of the U.S. mainland dealing with regional or widespread flu outbreaks.

Only Arizona and Vermont have had local outbreaks. The best place to be during this flu season - or anytime, really? Hawaii, which has reported sporadic flu cases.

This year’s most virulent strain is H1N1, better known as Swine Flu that was rampant nearly five years ago. Between April 2009 and April 2010, the CDC reported more than 60 million flu cases.

While anyone is susceptible to the flu, H1N1 seems to target a certain group.

"This year, because it's an H1N1 season so far, we are seeing more infections in younger adults," said Dr. Michael Young, a medical officer with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's influenza division.  "And some of these folks have underlying conditions that put them at risk for hospitalization or death. This may be surprising to some folks, because they forget the population that H1N1 hits."

One of the best ways to guard against the flu is to get vaccinated - and it’s never too late with peak flu activity still yet to arrive in January and February. If you cannot get in to see your doctor, national chain pharmacies including Walgreens and CVS offer immunizations.

While H1N1 tends to strike younger people, high-risk groups for the flu include those 65 and older, people with chronic medical conditions including asthma and diabetes and pregnant women.

The CDC recommends that to avoid contracting the flu, cover your mouth and nose when sneezing, clean your hands with soap and hot water or an alcohol-based rub, and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

One more piece of common sense. If you think you’re coming down with the flu, stay home from work. Gutting out another day on the job could result in more people out sick.