We are halfway through Ohio's 20 week flu season, and state health officials say the disease is widespread.

For the first time, this season the Centers for Disease Control flu activity map shows Ohio with a “High” activity level.

During Week 10, there were 214 flu-associated hospitalizations in the 13-county East Central region, which includes Mahoning, Trumbull, and Columbiana Counties.

That's the highest number of hospitalizations out of any of Ohio's seven health regions, and higher than the previous week's number of 199 hospitalizations in the East Central region.

So far this flu season there have been 125 flu-associated hospitalizations in Trumbull County; 113 in Mahoning County; and 54 in Columbiana County.

A graph from the Ohio Department of Health website shows the 5,449 confirmed flu-related hospitalizations in the state this year still trending upwards and above the seasonal threshold.

“Flu vaccination is the safest and most effective way to prevent the flu which can lead to missed work and school, and cause other serious health complications,” said Dr. Clint Koenig, medical director of the Ohio Department of Health (ODH). “Pregnant women, young children and people who already have serious medical conditions are especially at risk for serious complications from the flu.”

In addition to getting a flu shot, ODH offers the following tips to help you stay healthy this flu season:

Wash your hands often with soap and water or use alcohol-based sanitizer when you are unable to wash.

Try not to touch your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread this way.

If you get sick, stay home from work and keep sick children home from school or childcare.

Get plenty of rest. Sleep is shown to help your body fight off illness.

Keep your body healthy: eat a balanced diet including plenty of vegetables, fruits, and whole grain products; drink plenty of water and go easy on salt, sugar, alcohol and saturated fat; and exercise regularly because 30 or more minutes of physical activity most days of the week can help boost your immunity.

Symptoms of flu can include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Flu vaccination is available at most healthcare providers’ offices, local health departments and retail pharmacies. There are no flu vaccine shortages across Ohio currently.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that healthcare providers prescribe one of two antiviral drugs as a second line of defense as soon as possible to patients with confirmed or suspected influenza who are hospitalized, have severe illness, or may be at higher risk for flu complications.

More information about flu and flu activity in Ohio is available at www.flu.ohio.gov.