Seasonal Diseases – Why Catching the Flu is More Common in the Winter

Although winter isn’t the only time you can catch the flu, it seems that most of us will get sick with either the cold or the flu during the coldest months of the year. But why is it so common to have the flu during the winter? Do the seasons play a role in our resistance to influenza and other viruses?

We tend to get sick more often during the winter because the flu virus, as well as other viruses, can survive longer indoors during the winter. That’s because the air inside your home is less humid than the air outside. While the virus is alive and airborne, it is easier for people to inhale it or for the virus to land on their eyes, nose, or mouth. That makes it possible for you to catch the flu even if you wash your hands regularly and take other precautions. Plus, the fact that we spend more time indoors and are in closer contact with one another makes it easier for any virus to spread.

When Is Flu Season?

Flu season is the time when the influenza virus is the most contagious. While many people only get concerned about the flu during the winter months, the peak months for flu activity can change from one year to the next and influenza can circulate throughout populations heavily or lightly all year long,

Over the past three decades, February, December, March, and January have all been peak months for influenza at one point or another. That means there is no fixed date for flu season. Instead, experts usually mark the beginning of the season when the weather starts cooling down at the beginning or right before winter. Whenever there is a significant spike in influenza cases, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) declares that the flu season has begun for the year.

How to Stay Healthy During Cold and Flu Season Months

One of the best ways to protect yourself and others during cold and flu season is to get your flu shot as early in the season as possible. That will help protect you from the current strains of the influenza virus. To learn more about when the flu vaccine becomes available in your area, contact us at Bass Urgent Care today.

Here are a few more tips on how you can increase your chances of staying healthy during the peak months of the flu season.

● Always wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Wash them frequently or use hand sanitizer when you are unable to wash them.

● Stay home as much as you can and limit your contact with others, especially if you are already sick.

● Cover your nose and mouth with a face covering if you are in public places such as a doctor’s office.

● Avoid touching your mouth, nose, and eyes

● Avoid any unnecessary travel

● Try to reduce stress

● Eat healthy foods that contain Zinc, such as spinach and those high in antioxidants like blueberries.

● Avoid sharing objects with others.

● Avoid large crowds and practice social distancing if possible

● Get plenty of rest and stay hydrated by drinking lots of water and juices.

Learn More About How to Stay Healthy During Cold and Flu Season

To find out more about ways to stay healthy during cold and flu season, how to get a vaccine, and what to do if you are sick, get in touch with our medical experts here at BASS Primary Care. We look forward to helping you and your family stay healthy throughout the year. Give us a call today at (925) 962-9120 for more information.

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