When does the flu season peak in 2018? Here's when you can expect to see the most diseases

As the summer season begins to diminish, everyone begins to watch the fun activities that come with cooler weather: picking pumpkins, drinking cider and hot chocolate, and wearing the new coats that you bought during labor festivals. , and even the first snowfall (do not worry, we have a little time before it happens!). The diseases that accompany the fall and winter, and of course the flu, are not at the rendezvous. The flu season is almost upon us and, while it's scary, staying informed can keep you from getting sick. You need to know the basics, such as information about the influenza vaccine and when the flu season is most severe.

You can catch the flu any time of the year – for example, an Emirates plane bound for New York from Dubai was quarantined with a suspected flu outbreak that affected up to 100 people. But there is certainly a time when the risk of contracting the flu is lower and the time when the risk is higher. The flu season is the time of year when the disease seems to spread the most, that is, from October to May.

It is a fairly long period, covering most of the fall, all winter and much of spring. But some months are worse than others. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which focuses on influenza activity from 1982 to 2018, the months with the most active influenza are December, January, February and March. In February, influenza activity is by far the highest, which shows that the middle of winter is the worst period with regard to the disease.

To obtain this information, the CDC collects, compiles and analyzes information on influenza activity throughout the year in the United States. It also has weekly monitoring reports to thoroughly examine the data. They examine where and when influenza activity occurs, follow influenza-related illnesses, determine which viruses circulate, detect any changes, and measure the impact of influenza on hospitalizations and deaths in the United States. .

If you are worried about getting the flu, you do not need to panic yet. In October and November, influenza activity is relatively low – it is only in December that it really begins to increase. In April, it begins to decline, and in May, the activity has decreased significantly.

However, if you are still stressed, you can try not to catch the flu by getting the flu shot when the time comes. As the weather begins to cool down and we get closer to the peak flu season, you will notice more flu shot ads and it will be available everywhere. The flu is, according to the CDC, our best defense against the flu.

And you will definitely want to take your precautions – last year's flu season was the worst in decades, so who knows what could happen with this year's flu season. You better prevent than cure!