Tis still the Season

Tis still the season. Not the season of gifts and singing carols by the fire. Rather, I speak of one that can give you the coughs, high temperature fevers, and have you call in a sick day. It is still the flu season. It's mid February and many of us feel as though we're on the home stretch of winter and see spring on the horizon. This mentality does not mean that we have seen the worst of winter yet.

The Taunton Daily Gazzette reports that flu infections peak around mid February up to March. So far this year, the cases of flu infections have been low but there has been an increase within the last couple of weeks.

Many Americans have experienced being infected with the virus Influenza. Experiencing it first hand, I must say, it is not a good feeling.

The flu can be spread easily, especially in those who have close and consecutive contact with others. Examples of vulnerable areas would be schools, workplaces, subways, doctor's office, and even within our own homes. Infecting the lungs, the flu virus can be spread by small droplets exhaled by an infected individual. Sneezing or coughing in public can help spread the virus.

Infection can be fatal, particularly amongst those who have weak immune systems. Recently, it has been reported, in New York and Boston, that two children, ages 10 and 12, have died from influenza infections. This is an unfortunate example of how serious this virus can be.

I found a few articles that have reported increases in various parts of the United States. These include Kentucky, Maryland, Omaha, Nebraska, and Colorado . For your benefit and for the benefit of those around you, take this into account next time you step outdoors.


Here are a few tips from The Centers for Disease Control that can help you decrease yours and your family's chances of getting the flu. I've put a few of these into daily practice myself and it does not take much effort.