It may be March, but flu season is anything but over according to Col. Ed Boland, chief of Preventive Medicine, Eisenhower Army Medical Center.

“Visits to doctors for influenza like illness nationally increased slightly this week over last week, but are still low for this time of year,” Boland said. “Three states, including Georgia, reported regional influenza activity. This increase in influenza like illness coupled with regional flu outbreaks is concerning, as it may be the start of a third wave of H1N1 influenza.”

Since April 2009, CDC has received reports of 326 laboratory-confirmed pediatric deaths: 277 due to 2009 H1N1, 47 pediatric deaths that were laboratory confirmed as influenza, but the flu virus subtype was not determined, and two pediatric deaths that were associated with seasonal influenza viruses.

“Almost all of the influenza viruses identified so far continues to be 2009 H1N1 influenza A viruses.”

The symptoms of H1N1 flu are very similar to seasonal flu symptoms. They include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, and nasal congestion. Also, as with seasonal flu, it can worsen existing chronic medical conditions. CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with H1N1 influenza viruses. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body.

“Almost all of the influenza viruses identified so far continue to be 2009 H1N1 influenza A viruses,” Boland said. “These viruses remain similar to the virus chosen for the 2009 H1N1 vaccine, and remain susceptible to the antiviral drugs oseltamivir and zanamivir with rare exception.”

If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms).

“Over 90% of Soldiers on Fort Gordon have received their seasonal and H1N1 influenza vaccinations,” said Boland. “Influenza-like illness rates among the Soldiers is lower than that of our beneficiary population, which suggests that less beneficiaries would be ill if they'd come get their flu shots.”