Flu season is officially upon us, and this one is a doozy. According to the CDC, the Flu has become widespread throughout all of the United States and illness activity is categorized as High in the majority of states. This coupled with the majority of the population contracting the H3N2 strain (a particularly aggressive strain) heightened levels of illness, hospitalizations, and even deaths across the US make for a very active flu season. The flu is most dangerous to young children and the elderly. While it is not a fever of epic proportions and won’t turn you into a zombie-like something out of The Walking Dead, it is still a good idea to go over some of the CDC-approved preventative measures to avoid the dreaded flu.

• Avoid close contact with sick people
• If you’re sick, try and stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever has gone down.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze
• Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose because germs spread easier this way
• Disinfect all regularly touched surfaces
• Wash your hands often with soap and water

It is worth noting that you should get the flu vaccine even if it’s less effective this year because it can still protect against pneumonia and death, the more extreme effects of the flu. The flu is a contagious disease that can lead to hospitalization and worse if the proper preventative steps are not taken, so #washyourhandsbro and practice the rest of the CDC suggested precautions!

Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/consumer/prevention.htm
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/usmap.htm
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/index.htm