A recent study said that Georgia is the sickest state in the nation.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution cited a Kinsa Health report that pointed out Georgia has a higher rate of people falling sick than any other state. Kinsa Health is a health technology company.

And flu season had an early start, according to Augusta University’s Medical College of Georgia. 

The Centers for Disease Control, in their report for the final week of 2019, said flu activity across the country has been high and has been at an elevated level for eight weeks. 

Those at highest risk, according to the CDC, are those 65 and older, pregnant women, young children, those with asthma or diabetes, those with HIV/AIDS, cancer patients, children with neurologic conditions and those who have heart disease.

The MCG states flu season typically starts in December and ends in late March or early April. There are generally two types — A and B — of flu. Flu vaccines target the A virus. For B, adults who have been exposed develop an immunity. 

Though having a fever or feeling feverish is a flu symptom, not everyone who gets the flu gets a fever, according to the CDC. Other symptoms include cough, runny nose, sore throat, muscle and body aches, headaches and fatigue. Some flu victims also experience other problems — vomiting and diarrhea — but those are more prevalent in children than in adults.

The MCG also says that flu symptoms generally last four to six days. On average, about 8 percent of the population gets the flu. 

So what can you do to increase the chances of being among the 92 percent who don’t get it? The CDC urges getting a flu shot every year. Also, take flu antiviral drugs if your doctor prescribes them. 

Other steps you can take include avoiding close contact with sick people, limit contact with others if you are sick, covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you sneeze or cough and then disposing of the tissue in the trash, washing your hands often with soap and water and avoid touching your nose, eyes and mouth. Also, clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated. And if you have flu-like symptoms, the CDC recommends staying at home for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone. 

Hopefully, this flu season will be a short one and perhaps these steps can help bring it to a quicker end.