flu season

WASHINGTON (AP) -- It's time for flu vaccine again and while it's important for the whole family, this year health officials have some different advice for different ages: Certain kids should opt for the ouchless nasal spray. Seniors, expect to get a new kind of pneumonia shot along with that flu jab.

With people inside more often and in closer contact, catching a cold or the flu is more common and some symptoms are similar.

Flu season is ramping up, with illness widespread in at least 35 states. That's up from 25 in the previous week.

With New Jersey still in the deep freeze, thanks to a "Polar Vortex" bringing in record-breaking cold, it seems a growing number of Garden State residents are getting sick.

Health officials say the flu season seems to be getting off to more normal start this year.

With cold and flu season in full swing, health officials are issuing warnings to prevent those with symptoms from accidentally overdosing on acetaminophen.

'Tis the season to be jolly -- as long as you don't come down with the flu.

Symptoms of the flu don't only include a high fever, weak muscles and a sore throat. The ramifications spread to the workplace, schools, family and other segments of people's everyday lives, according to the 2013 Flu Impact Report from Walgreens.

Many workers don't like to use their sick days when they're actually sick. However, bringing an illness into the workplace isn't the smartest move, for you and everybody else.

It may feel like summer outside, but the calendar says fall, and as we head into the month of October, flu season is getting underway in the Garden State.