Google is tracking searches related to the flu, such as “cough” or “flu symptoms.” They have developed a new flu-tracking system with guidance from the Center for Disease Control & Prevention.  By analyzing when and where flu-related searches are taking place, they are helping to track the spread of this year’s flu virus.

That’s pretty freaking cool if you ask me.  The goal of the still-experimental system, called Flu Trends, is to discover new ways to track and predict the spread of influenza.  Considering that up to 20% of us are going to catch the flu this year, that seems to be a worthy goal.

You can learn more or play around with Flu Trends yourself by going here.