Flu activity in the United States is low nationally, but the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cites early signs that it is increasing. The CDC says getting vaccinated is the first and best way to prevent flu and recommends that everyone six months and older be vaccinated, even those who got a seasonal or 2009 H1N1 vaccine last season.

Last flu season (2009-2010) saw the emergence of the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus, previously called "swine flu." This virus caused the first global outbreak of disease caused by a new flu virus in more than 40 years. CDC says that "while not certain, it is likely that 2009 H1N1 viruses will continue to spread along with seasonal viruses in the U.S. during the 2010-2011 flu season." New flu strains may also appear.

The timing of flu season is unpredictable. Flu activity usually peaks in the U.S. in January or February, but it can persist as late as May. Flu vaccine is designed to protect against the three main flu strains that research indicates will cause the most illness during the flu season. The 2010-2011 flu vaccine will protect against the H3N2 virus, an influenza B virus, and the H1N1 virus.

The CDC says that vaccination is especially important for several groups of higher-risk people. They include pregnant women, people 50 years or older, and people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions.

As flu season approaches, now is the time to take whatever steps you consider appropriate to alert members of your department or work team to take precautions. These include everyday preventive steps like staying away from sick people, washing hands to reduce the spread of germs and if sick with flu, staying home from work to keep from spreading the disease to others.