Arizona saw its first pediatric death related to influenza during the week ending Jan. 1, according to the state Department of Health Services website. The state also saw a spike in the number of lab-confirmed influenza cases, with the respiratory illness now being classified as "widespread" in the state.

The state saw another jump in the number of lab-confirmed influenza cases in late December.

Arizona's influenza numbers continue to rise. More than 980 cases of lab-confirmed influenza were reported in the week ending Feb. 19.

After a slight dip last week, lab-confirmed influenza reports increased again in the most recent report on the state Department of Health Services website.

Arizona’s flu cases more than doubled in the last week, according to the state Department of Health Services.

The number of lab-confirmed influenza cases in the county nearly doubled last week, according to the latest report on the Arizona Department of Health Services website. There are now 33 lab-confirmed cases in Maricopa County, with 13 of them diagnosed last week. Across the state, 103 influenza cases have been confirmed. Fifty-two percent are in patients 18 and younger. Most are influenza A, the same type associated with the novel H1N1 strain identified last year. Influenza levels remain far below the 2009-2010 numbers.

Senior citizens in Arizona have not been affected as much as younger people this flu season, statistics show. According to state figures, a third of the patients have been ages 19 to 49 (33 percent). The next largest group has been ages 5 to 18 (24 percent), followed by the very young, newborn to 4 years old (22 percent). More than three-quarters of cases have been influenza A, which includes the H1N1 strain. H3 is the most predominant subtype of lab-confirmed influenza this year.

After a slight dip last week, lab-confirmed influenza reports increased again in the most recent report on the state Department of Health Services website.

Arizona's flu and RSV activity is peaking earlier than usual, according to the state Department of Health Services.

Ahwatukee, Gilbert and Queen Creek Urgent Care facilities, members of Catholic Healthcare West (CHW), are providing free flu shots at drive-thru clinics to adults in the community. Getting a flu shot is the best way to avoid getting the flu.

Influenza, commonly known as the "flu," is a viral infection that usually starts in the upper respiratory tract and often is associated with fevers, sore throat, body aches and chills.

This time is always busy for hospitals and emergency rooms, but the severity of illnesses may be above average this year, officials say.

Five pediatric deaths connected with influenza were reported during the 2010-11 season, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services. The season concluded with the latest report, which covers Sept. 25 to Oct. 4.

A teenager died Friday from complications with influenza, becoming the first pediatric death of the season in Maricopa County.

A teenager died Friday from complications with influenza, becoming the first pediatric death of the season in Maricopa County.

You may have heard that H1N1 influenza is primarily a disease of children. This is because H1N1 disproportionately infects infants, children and young adults. There were only two laboratory confirmed pediatric deaths from influenza through the 2006 to 2007 and 2007 to 2008 influenza seasons. In contrast, there were 12 pediatric deaths during the 2008-2009 season. Seven of those deaths were confirmed to be from H1N1.

This time is always busy for hospitals and emergency rooms, but the severity of illnesses may be above average this year, officials say.

Although it is right in the middle of the influenza season for Arizona residents, there is still a benefit to having that preventative flu shot if you have not yet had one.

Five pediatric deaths connected with influenza were reported during the 2010-11 season, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services.

Flu shots for children will be available at the Immunization Clinic at Lomas, 11820 S. Warner-Elliot Loop, on Tuesday, July 31. A child should be accompanied by their parent and bring their shot record so the date can be recorded. They will be open from 2:30 to 5 p.m.

The University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix has named Dr. Dean Coonrod, MD, as chair of the executive committee of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology for the downtown Phoenix medical college.

Although it is right in the middle of the influenza season for Arizona residents, there is still a benefit to having that preventative flu shot if you have not yet had one.

Mesa's Cardon Children's Medical Center saw a record-breaking number of patients in January, confirming that influenza and RSV season is in full swing in the Valley.