Recently, we reported that this year’s flu season was getting off to a slow start, especially compared to last year’s flu season. We also reported that this year’s flu vaccine would be more effective than last year’s vaccine, which should result in fewer cases of the flu, fewer hospitalizations and fewer deaths.

It seems our earlier reports were a bit presumptive and need to be revised, as is being reported:

The flu season is off to its fastest start in 15 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Massachusetts is among the states being hit hard by the virus.

The CDC’s most recent report shows the flu is currently widespread in Massachusetts, meaning there are confirmed cases across more than half of the state.

The CDC estimates there have been as many as 2.5 million flu cases and 2,400 deaths nationwide so far this season.

The Boston Public Health Commission released its first report of the season that shows flu cases in Boston are up 7% from this time last year. In the city, 68 people have contracted the flu, and 12 of those people have had to be hospitalized.

Boston and Massachusetts are not the only place where this year’s flu season has suddenly launched with a vengeance. The same thing is happening in many locations around the nation, as reported:

There is a 40 percent chance flu season could peak this month, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s FluSight Forecasting initiative.

The CDC’s flu surveillance report for the week ending Nov. 30 shows the percentage of visits to outpatient providers for influenza-like illnesses has been at or above the national baseline for four weeks.

Twelve states are seeing what is considered high amounts of such visits, and this activity is expected to increase over the next few weeks.

Flu is geographically widespread in 16 states, including Massachusetts, though at different levels of intensity, and B viruses, generally seen later in the season, are said to predominate across the country.

Even though the flu season is just starting, the CDC is reporting 6 pediatric deaths resulting from the flu.

How bad is the start to year’s flu season? Is it going to be more severe than last year’s deadly flu season?

It is too early to predict whether the season will be a severe one, but the CDC forecast analysis shows flu activity will likely peak between December and February with a 40 percent chance of a peak in December, 30 percent for January and 25 percent in February.

Last year’s flu season extended into April and was the longest in a decade.

Early estimates from the CDC show that last year’s season resulted in 49,000 flu-related deaths, and 590,000 hospitalizations. Some 143 influenza-associated pediatric deaths have been reported to the CDC so for the 2018-2019 flu season.

All regions in the country except one – which includes Massachusetts – are at or above their baselines for the percentage of outpatient visits for influenza-like illnesses this season.

What can we learn from this report? Get your flu shot to begin with. Then, take precautions when out in public or around other people. Try to avoid shaking hands – do a soft fist bump instead or just wave. Wash your hands often and don’t put your hands or fingers to your eyes, nose or mouth until you wash your hands thoroughly. One way many people become infected with the flu is by toughing someone or something that has been contaminated with the flu virus and then rubbing their eyes, nose or lips. Try to avoid people who are sick, coughing and sneezing. Eat healthy and take supplements like vitamin C, zinc and elderberry to help boost your immune system.