Anyone who has ever had the flu knows how miserable that experience is. From the common flu, to the Swine Flu of a few years back the symptoms are crippling. Commonly fatigue, nausea, the chills, and body aches accompany the influenza virus. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to avoid catching this common seasonal occurrence. Here is everything you need to know when it comes to the 2016-2017 flu season.

When Is Flu In The Air?

One of the most important things to know about the flu is when it will occur. A person can be infected with flu anytime, but the most common time frame is from late October to early May. The peak season however is usually from December to March. This leads to the next important thing you need to know about flu prevention, and that's when to get the shot.

According to the CDC website,

Getting vaccinated before flu activity begins helps protect you once the flu season starts in your community. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for the body’s immune response to fully respond and for you to be protected so make plans to get vaccinated. CDC recommends that people get a flu vaccine by the end of October, if possible. However, getting vaccinated later can still be beneficial. CDC recommends ongoing flu vaccination as long as influenza viruses are circulating, even into January or later.

When Should I Get Vaccinated?

Basically, if you choose to get the flu vaccine, you should wait until the flu is in it's peak season. You can always do your best to prevent the virus by practicing proper health routines such as washing hands constantly, and disinfecting areas that collect the most germs. Because the flu shot takes up to 2 weeks to fully take effect, you want to time the process of getting the vaccine so that it will align with the start of the threat.

Another important thing to remember is you can be the one to prevent others from catching flu, if you are infected. If you do catch the flu, stay home and isolate yourself from others. The virus is very contagious, and you can prevent others from catching it by taking time to rest, and get well. For more information on flu prevention and treatment you can visit the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website.


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