Instead of seeing an end in sight for the flu season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that it continues to get progressively worse. The flu season is only about half over.

Those who have been hit the worst this flu season are the seniors, particularly those who are older than 65. The Director of the CDC, Tom Frieden, also reports that another five children have died since the last official report was given, bringing the total up to 26 children across the nation.

The influenza virus continues to be rampant throughout 46 states. This is three more states than it was the week before. Some think that the flu season may be becoming less severe since there are fewer doctors’ visits in some areas.

Dr. Frieden continues to encourage people, particularly the elderly and those who may be more susceptible to flu symptoms, to get antiviral flu medications. Even though the flu vaccine is not a perfect match for the H3N2 flu virus, it still offers some protection and will lessen the severity of the flu symptoms.

In spite of the flu season getting worse, the CDC says it has discovered that some doctors are not progressively increasing their recommendations for their patients getting the anti-viral flu medications. Doctors are saying that it is because it is often too late to benefit the patients, who need to start on it within 48 hours to be most effective.

Getting the antiviral medications quickly can help prevent a hospitalization, Frieden stated, and avoiding ICU. He added that if doctors wait for a confirmation of the flu virus before recommending the medication, then the key period of time to prevent more severe symptoms is lost. It should be remembered that flu is still a leading cause of death in the United States.

Although there may be some question as to how effective the antiviral flu medications really are, it should be noted that there really are no other options available to patients. Prevention against the flu starts with the flu shot, says Frieden. While it will not actually prevent an individual from getting the flu, it will help reduce the severity of the symptoms, which alone can make it worthwhile.

It is unknown if the influenza outbreak is actually getting better or not. There is little doubt that in some areas the flu season is clearly getting progressively worse, as the CDC reports. People who are at a higher risk of getting the flu should go ahead and get a flu vaccine, because the season does not end until spring.