Flu fighting apps

DAILY DOT COM - Is there nothing social media technology can’t do?  With the flu running rampant, a new flu app is getting in on the germy action in an effort of keeping you from getting sick.

The Centers for Disease Control says the virus has hit early and in many cases hard.  The CDC reports the flu is widespread in more than 40 states.  It describes flu activity in Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi as intense.

The new Facebook app called, " Help, I Have the Flu " scans your friends’ statuses to help you avoid the sick ones.  It looks for any mentions of coughs, sneezes, or flu.  It will even look for check-ins to doctor’s office or pharmacies.

To download the app, log onto your Facebook page, click on apps and then search for "Help, I have the Flu."  Users will be asked to give the application permission to scan your account.  Click on ok, and in a few minutes…you'll see the results.

If you're not on Facebook there are other web and mobile apps out there that track the spread of the flu too.  HealthMap's Flu Near You , which also offers health tips, shows you the level of flu activity in your state.  There’s the Germ Tracker application that will sift through your Twitter feed to let you know who around you might be contagious.  Google is continuing its seasonal flu tracker  Google Flu Trends , too, which currently shows skyrocketing "flu" searches over the past month. 

Of course health experts say the best way to avoid the flu, is to get vaccinated.  It’s also a good idea to practice proper hygiene, like good ol’ fashion hand washing, covering your mouth when you cough/sneeze and staying home when you’re ill.  For more information, see the CDC’s “ Take 3” actions to fight the flu .

Would you use an app to track flu activity?