It’s official, flu season is here, and with that comes new vaccines to help stay protected against the flu. But what is the flu and why do modern day vaccines help save the lives of thousands each year? 

According to the Centers for Disease and Control (CDC) the flu, short for influenza, is a contagious respiratory virus, which primarily sees a peak increase between the months of December and February. Many experts believe that the virus is spread through tiny droplets made when people sneeze, cough, or talk. According to the CDC, the most common symptoms of this virus are  fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, fatigue, headaches, and in children, vomiting. Though not all people with the flu will experience every single one of these symptoms. 

Although anyone is susceptible to the flu, some are at higher risk of developing a more serious case of the flu or flu related complications. People who are at higher risk are primarily over the age of 65. Though people of any age with some chronic medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or most heart diseases, people with a BMI of 40 or higher, pregnant women, or children younger than 5 are also at a higher risk for more serious cases. 

There is, however, a way to protect yourself from the flu. Even though there is no way to 100% guarantee immunity from the virus, getting a flu vaccine each year has been shown to reduce flu-related illnesses and the risk of serious complications from the flu, which can result in hospitalization or death. According to the Mayo Clinic, the flu vaccine is necessary each year because of the rapid rate in which the virus mutates, meaning last year’s vaccine will most likely not protect against this year’s virus. 

Even with the vaccine, being mindful and limiting contact with people currently infected with the virus, washing your hands after sneezing, and covering your mouth when coughing is another way of preventing not only you, but others around you from continuing the spread of flu. 

Although the flu season is once again upon us, measures such as getting vaccinated and being mindful of yourself and others can be taken to ensure that the holiday season is one filled with joy, not the flu.