According to UPI, more than 200 individuals have died this season in California alone due to influenza. Quoting Dr. Ron Chapman, director of the California Department of Public Health and state health officer, UPI says that four of the confirmed number of individuals who died due to influenza were children.

Aside from the 200 influenza-related death count in California, 41 more cases are under investigation, reports UPI. Even so, the current death toll has already doubled last year's 106 count for the entire flu season.

A recent Canadian study published online at Eurosurveillance notes that "more than 90% of flu viruses that have been subtyped in both Canada and the United States this winter have been pH1N1 strains," says The University of Minnesota's Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP). The subtyping was conducted from November 1, 2013 to January 23, 2014.

UPI also reports that this year's dominant flu strain is the same with the 2009 H1N1-predominant flu pandemic which has the tendency to hit young adults and individuals in the middle age.

Based on the Canadian study and the UPI report, it is safe to say that this year's flu has not evolved much, making this year's flu vaccine still effective in preventing influenza. In fact, according to the CIDRAP news, seasonal flu vaccines are rated 60% effective in preventing flu.

Those who are adamant at getting flu shots can turn to nasal spray vaccines for protection, which, according to Liberty Voice, contain actual weakened live viruses incapable of causing illness.

Influenza aka the flu "is a contagious respiratory illness caused by flu viruses," says the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control. It is transmitted from one person to another by coughing, sneezing or talking. The CDPC says that infected individuals can spread the flu virus 6 feet away.

Common symptoms of the flu include cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue and fever, though some individuals do not have raised body temperatures even with the flu, says CDPC. Children who are infected may also exhibit vomiting and diarrhea with the illness.

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