STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Seasonal flu viruses are detected year-round in the United States, but the flu is most common during the fall and winter — also known as flu season.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the exact timing and duration of flu seasons may vary, but activity often begins to increase in October. Most of the time, flu activity peaks between December and February. Significant activity can last as late as May.
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs, the CDC states. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times, can lead to death.
The overall health impact — such as infections, hospitalizations, and deaths — of flu varies from season to season, the CDC stated. The agency collects, compiles,and analyzes information on flu activity year-round in the U.S. to produce FluView, a weekly surveillance report, and FluView Interactive, which allows for more in-depth exploration of influenza surveillance data.
HOW CAN I PREVENT THE FLU?
The best way to prevent yourself and your family from getting the flu is by getting a flu vaccine each year, the CDC recommends. It’s recommended for everyone 6 months and older, with few exceptions.
September and October are generally the best times to be vaccinated, but the CDC said everyone should be vaccinated by the end of October.
Flu shots have been shown to reduce flu-related illnesses and the risk of serious flu complications that can result in hospitalization or death. The CDC also recommends everyday preventive actions, like hand-washing, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying away from people who are sick, to help slow the spread of germs.
While the CDC does not recommend a particular flu vaccine for people under 65 years old, this year three flu vaccines are “preferentially recommended” for people 65 and older. These are Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent vaccine, Flublok Quadrivalent recombinant flu vaccine and Fluad Quadrivalent adjuvanted flu vaccine.
If the three are not available, the CDC recommends getting any available vaccine.
HOW DOES IT SPREAD?
People with the flu are most contagious in the first three to four days after illness begins.
People with the flu can spread it to others up to about six feet away. Most experts, according to the CDC, think that flu viruses spread mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze, or talk. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
Less often, a person might get the flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching his or her own mouth, nose, or possibly eyes.
The different flu viruses change from year to year, so the makeup of the U.S. flu vaccines is reviewed annually and updated to try and match those viruses that are evident.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
Symptoms can begin in about two days, but can range from one to four days, after the virus enters the body. That means you can pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick. Some people infected with the flu virus have no symptoms, but they can still spread influenza to others.
Influenza is different from a cold — the flu usually comes on suddenly.
People who have flu often feel some or all of these symptoms:
- Fever or feeling feverish/chills
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle or body aches
- Headaches
- Fatigue (tiredness)
- Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.
It’s important to note, the CDC states, that not everyone who has the flu gets a fever.
