Weigh in: Are you getting the flu vaccine? - CNN International

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The flu has been reported in 47 statesAlthough the spread of the flu has slowed down, widespread activity is still reportedWill you be getting vaccinated? Tell us about it.

(CNN) -- With the threat of the flu spreading across 47 states, every cough or sneeze within hearing range echoes like a warning shot and feels like a threat.

It's not uncommon to see people leave the room, try to shield their faces, wash their hands or even stay home to avoid catching the flu.

Although the CDC believes that the spread of the flu has slowed in some areas, numerous states are still reporting high levels of symptoms and activity.

Because flu season is so unpredictable, officials won't know for another week or two if the outbreak has peaked.

Here on CNN.com, we've reported what to do if you have the flu, discussed the effectiveness of the vaccine, answered your top questions, addressed top flu vaccine myths and 3 things we still don't know about influenza, provided tips for avoiding the flu, offered ways to protect your children and how to protect others from your coughing or sneezing.

Did you get vaccinated? Tell us why, or why not, in the comments below.

January 11, 2013 -- Updated 1834 GMT (0234 HKT) An early and severe start to the flu season has many health experts concerned. Here are your top 10 questions, answered. Influenza activity is spreading, creating a moderately severe flu season in the U.S. Send us photos of your flu survival kits. January 11, 2013 -- Updated 2227 GMT (0627 HKT) We can track flu outbreaks down to the county and determine much about an outbreak's severity and how the virus is spreading. But there's still much that's unknown about influenza.January 11, 2013 -- Updated 1838 GMT (0238 HKT) Parents of young children who get the flu may have a hard time finding an antiviral drug to help treat them. January 11, 2013 -- Updated 1936 GMT (0336 HKT) Misunderstandings and questions about the flu vaccine can confuse people trying to decide whether to get one. Here are common misconceptions and questions.January 11, 2013 -- Updated 1504 GMT (2304 HKT) You feel worse by the hour. Your joints ache, your head feels heavy, you can't stop coughing, you're freezing even as your temperature keeps climbing, your stomach is upset, even your eyes hurt. January 11, 2013 -- Updated 2133 GMT (0533 HKT) With so much flu activity, it's important to protect everyone around you if you feel like you are getting sick. Here are some tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.January 11, 2013 -- Updated 1014 GMT (1814 HKT) How will you know if the flu has crossed the line to become deadly? CNN's Elizabeth Cohen has the story.January 11, 2013 -- Updated 2128 GMT (0528 HKT) So you got a flu vaccine this season, and you've been reading about the flu epidemic. You might be wondering: Will the vaccine keep me healthy?January 11, 2013 -- Updated 1020 GMT (1820 HKT) Carl Azuz talks to CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta about how to prevent the flu.January 11, 2013 -- Updated 1044 GMT (1844 HKT) During the past few months, I have gently suggested to my patients that they receive the flu vaccine. Many said yes, but some declined. January 9, 2013 -- Updated 2259 GMT (0659 HKT) What do you need to know when it comes to flu germs? CNN's Lisa Sylvester reports.January 11, 2013 -- Updated 1531 GMT (2331 HKT) If you go to a doctor's office or hospital any time soon, you may encounter an uncommonly long wait.. This year's flu season started earlier, and health officials say it is more widespread and more severe than usual.January 11, 2013 -- Updated 1248 GMT (2048 HKT) The common flu rarely kills the young and healthy, but the Schwolert family knows it can. Today's five most popular stories

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China and international censorship on World Press Freedom Day

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Today is World Press Freedom Day and during recent days we have learnt that BBC World News, our 24/7 international news channel, has been jammed by Chinese authorities during stories they regard as sensitive.

This included Damian Grammaticas' report yesterday on Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng leaving the US embassy.

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This deliberate electronic interference of the channel's distribution signal is just the latest in a long line of examples to block our impartial news and prevent it reaching audiences.

The BBC's Chinese language website has been consistently blocked in China, apart from a brief respite during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and our radio broadcasts in Mandarin were historically subject to persistent frequency interference for decades.
And these issues are certainly not just restricted to China.

In November, BBC World News was taken off-air in Pakistan by cable operators for broadcasting a documentary entitled Secret Pakistan.

BBC Persian TV has suffered deliberate interference to its broadcasting signals intermittently since its launch and the online service has consistently been blocked.

Other international broadcasters including Deutsche Welle and Voice of America have also been subject to deliberate electronic interference by the Iranian authorities.

In addition, in recent months, new tactics have been introduced which should be of deep concern to all those who believe in a free and independent international media.

This includes the intimidation of the families and acquaintances in Iran of BBC Persian's London-based staff. All journalists should be allowed to operate freely and any attempt to intimidate those known to them, is very concerning.

We strongly condemn these acts of censorship and harassment. The BBC has a long history of standing up to these attempts to prevent access to free media. This includes working closely with other international broadcasters to highlight these issues and encourage concerted international action.

We would again urge the countries where jamming, censorship and harassment emanates from, to stop these restrictive practices.

It is also imperative that the global community is doing all they can to counter attempts to block authoritative news.

The challenges that our international journalists face have never been so many and varied.

The BBC will continue to represent the voice of free media where there is no other access to fair and authoritative news - be it because of suppression and persecution of journalists, a growth in state sponsored media or attempts to jam or censor our news.

Today, on World Press Freedom Day, we repeat the call on international governments and the relevant regulatory bodies to put maximum pressure on those who seek to block access to trusted and independent news.

Peter Horrocks is director, BBC Global News

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What is the best International Network TV-Al Jazeera, CNBC, BBC World, CNN International, or?

If you're well-traveled, both nationally and abroad, have a good handle on the way people live in many parts of the world. Ye also know that it is very dangerous for drinking water in many countries, and you are quite aware of how it is better to be on your best behavior in certain places and keep a watchful eye of your assets and the environment.

Now then, all is not well traveled around the world and there is much to see, so many different cultures and people in developing countries and therefore it is important to take in a bit of international news and reports. As a connoisseur of geopolitics and international news often read magazine Foreign Affairs and any other magazines of the same off shape and size from competing publishers, as well as the Economist, Forbes Forbes, China, India and even scan the titles of the various countries on all continents.

Once you get a basic knowledge of these countries and places, realizing there are over 300 sovereign nations, it is quite easy to keep up on all the major changes that occur in those regions; things like natural disasters, political unrest, culture, religious beliefs, economic crisis, the growth of the sector and their place of never ending saga of human conflict.

Now then, in the electronic age makes sense take online newsletter and updates if you want to stay up on everything that's happening in the world. And what about 24/7 cable network television? You can watch Russian TV, Al Jazeera, BBC, CNBC worldwide, or even CNN international. Interestingly enough, the financial news are very similar all over the world, and international segments are on popular topics and things that you might expect.

The other day someone recommended I watch CNN international, how could I learn something new, and so I went online and looked at many of the clips and pictures of what was going on this week. Okay, they were decent, and typically what you would expect. Their coverage of the crash in India was good and well thought out, as well as segments on the unrest in Thailand. And it was quite interesting to watch Hillary Clinton Secretary of State for the United States and their coverage of her visits to South Korea and China.

In fact, I think my only problem with CNN; where did Ted Turner "to bed early, early to rise, work like hell and advertise" transforming the global masses with propaganda to brainwash, promote chaos and controversy and destabilize society and civilization? Not that Al Jazeera is better, especially for someone who lives in the United States, as much of their content secure does not show the United States in a very good light.

The BBC can be real persnickety when it comes time to time in the United States, and if it weren't for the news business international attack for America think all News International would be something that an American proud certainly does not want or care to watch. I think I might give CNN international to "B" and CNBC in the world a "B +" and a "B" BBC and Al Jazeera a "C-" in the complex for international television coverage. Please consider this.

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