The Kentucky Department for Public Health is raising the flu level in the state from regional to widespread. Widespread activity is the highest level of flu activity, which indicates increased flu-like activity or flu outbreaks in at least half of the regions in the state. The center for disease control recommends flu vaccine for all individuals six months of age and older, but discourages the nasal flu vaccine as being ineffective. Infection with the flu virus can cause fever, headache, cough, sore throat, runny nose, sneezing and body aches. Flu can be very contagious. For more information on influenza or the flu vaccine, contact your local health department or visit healthalerts.ky.gov.