Flu cases appear to be rising still in Maryland, according to Google Flu Trends, which "uses aggregated Google search data to estimate current flu activity around the world in near real-time," the Google Flu Trends website stated.

Google Flu Trends data indicates that the number of flu cases in Maryland started rising in mid-November. As of Jan. 11, the flu has reached the "intense" category in Maryland, whereas at this time last year, the number of flu cases was only in the "moderate" range.

Earlier this week, Montgomery County hospitals reported an uptick in patients suffering from flu-like symptoms.

At Shady Grove Adventist Hospital, about 30 extra patients a day are visiting the emergency room, many of them complaining of flu-like symptoms, said hospital spokeswoman Jennifer Plaia.

Best places to escape the flu, according to Google Flu Trends: South America, South Africa and Australia. (Perhaps flu viruses don't like long flights?)

Or, better yet, consider getting a flu shot. Find a flu shot location near you with this Flu Vaccine Finder (available through the American Lung Association's website).

Hopefully, if you do get the flu, it doesn't last too long and you get to binge on Netflix movies and get a couple days off work. [One Montgomery County mom talks about her experience with the flu in her column, White Knuckle Parenting Faces the Plague.]

TELL US: Have you gotten the flu yet? How bad was it? Leave a comment.