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Preparing for flu season each year can be a bit overwhelming. It can be doubly stressful if you’re not sure where to start.
On top of that, living day-to-day during a global health crisis can feel overwhelming overall, especially if you are already immunosuppressed or vulnerable.
But while the thought of dealing with flu season may seem overwhelming, gaining knowledge and preparing for it doesn’t have to be so scary.
Although normally associated with winter, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that flu season could have different lengths and severities each year. In the US, on average, the flu season begins between mid-October and early November and lasts through May.
Epidemiological data compiled by the CDC place the annual peak, on average, between December and February. This is blocked in about 7 months to detect fevers, nasal congestion, and sore throat.
Dr. Lisa Maragakis, Johns Hopkins senior director of infection prevention confirmed with Greatist that “influenza epidemics each year are actually quite predictable. In the northern hemisphere, [flu season] it runs from October 15 to May 15 “.
Your geographic location also affects your exposure to influenza.
“The virus starts in certain geographic areas and tends to move to different states at different times,” Maragakis said. “We are not sure what exactly determines this.”
Dr. William Schaffner, professor of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, agrees. He warned people to be on the lookout for the spread of the flu when it hits, as it typically travels from one end of the country to another. By mapping your trajectory, we can better prepare.
“It depends on where you are, when you are, which flu is most active in your community,” he told Greatist.
Where it will land first is unpredictable. But by looking at past years, we can at least prepare for when it comes.
Kate Grusich, a spokeswoman for the CDC, told Greatist: “We know that the flu season is at its peak before it hits again, and that gives us information on when to take preventive action.”
By mapping past trends (starts, ends, and peaks) in viral activity, we can better gauge our response.
The start date is determined by when the first “moderate” levels of influenza are reported by state. The end date is determined by the first day all states report “low” influenza levels. The peaks are determined by the date with the highest levels of influenza in all states.
Based on CDC flu-like illness data, these are approximate trends for the past 10 flu seasons in the United States.
Planning ahead for flu season is critical, as not only does getting sick stink for you, it can also put your close contacts at risk. Here are some practical options for protecting yourself and others during flu season.
1. Get that flu shot
Grusich, Maragakis and Schaffner unanimously agree that, of all methods, getting vaccinated is the best way to prepare for flu season.
“Here in the United States, the recommendation is that everyone 6 months and older get the flu vaccine,” Schaffner said.
“The vaccine that we know is not a perfect vaccine. However, it is a very good vaccine. It prevents many, many diseases completely. “
2. Physical distance from others
“Avoiding crowds and keeping your distance from others is a great idea, as it reduces the risk of contagion,” says Schaffner.
One of the main methods of transmission of influenza is through respiratory droplets. We can avoid breathing them from our neighbors by keeping a safe distance.
3. Cover your nose and mouth, especially when coughing or sneezing.
Similarly, a mask or face covering prevents us from spreading viral droplets through our nose and mouth. A meta-analysis showed an 80 percent reduction in respiratory viral infections when wearing a mask. Also, it can look very stylish.
4. Wash your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Hand hygiene through alcohol-based hand sanitizers or simple dish soap has been shown to be very effective in killing influenza viruses and other microorganisms.
Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds between meals, after using the bathroom, before and after caring for someone who is sick, and after touching unsanitary materials or surfaces.
5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
Regardless of how clean your hands are, bacteria reside in more things than we realize. Better to be safe by avoiding touching our faces as much as possible. If necessary, it is preferable to use a clean tissue.
6. Maintain exercise, proper nutrition, and rest.
“These are general tips that help improve health for a variety of reasons, not just to prevent respiratory illness. Get enough rest and eat healthy foods, ”Maragakis said.
By keeping your immune system strong, you are more likely to fight back not just the flu, but other infections as well.
7. Regularly disinfect frequently touched areas in the home.
By targeting high-traffic areas for disinfection, you can reduce the risk of coming into contact with harmful viruses.
8. Manage your stress using a variety of practical methods
Stress, especially prolonged stress, can weaken your immune response. There are many viable ways to combat stress, such as enjoying green tea, practicing mindfulness meditation, or getting a massage. Experiment to find what works for you.
9. Drink lots of fluids
Turns out your mother was right all the time. Drinking water has been associated with better immune function.
There are also many tasty juices packed with nutrients and antioxidants like vitamin C, molecules that protect your cells from harmful compounds called free radicals.
10. Stay away from smoke
Surprise, surprise: smoking is bad for you. Not only can smoking lower the immune response, but researchers have found that it can also change the structure of the airways, making smokers more susceptible to infections, such as the flu.
Once you are aware of the flu season window, it is especially important that you take preventive measures as soon as possible.
Flu season is not an event you want to be late for in fashion. According to the CDC, influenza can cause anything from mild symptoms to, in severe cases, death.
While most people recover in a few days to less than 2 weeks, in rare circumstances, the patient can develop complications such as pneumonia that can last longer and even be life-threatening.
With the risks in mind, remember that there are more than enough information and resources to protect yourself from the flu. So keep learning, stay current, and take the necessary steps to stay safe.
Kevin Jiang is a Canadian journalist who covers health, science and many other interesting things. Read more about him at Twitter.
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