Google Flu Trends uses aggregated Google search data to estimate flu activity in your state up to two weeks faster than traditional flu surveillance systems. The site Google Flu Trends uses search terms like

• flu symptoms
• fever
• cough

etc… to find out where the flu is thriving.

According to Google.org Flu Trends the aggregated search data can estimate flu activity in a state up to two weeks faster than traditional systems. Studies show that 35 to 40 percent of visits to the internet start with people looking for health information. (more info about flu trend: http://www.google.org/flutrends/)