According to Health Day News, flu cases are on the rise across the U.S. "In Chicago, a hospital employee describes the emergency department as "knee-deep in flu and pneumonia cases."

In Richmond, Va., Dr. Kenneth Lucas of the Patient First clinic says he's seen a 30 percent rise in flu cases, which "hit the fan around Christmastime" and "really rolled in with the holidays."

And in Rhode Island, where almost 10 percent of emergency room visits in the past week were due to flu-like symptoms, state Health Department Director Michael Fine predicts this could be the worst flu season in years." MORE [2]

Has the flu hit your area yet? Did you get a flu vaccine?