{"id":2567,"date":"2024-09-18T20:38:32","date_gmt":"2024-09-18T20:38:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/childrenfirstmedicalgroup.org\/?page_id=2567"},"modified":"2024-09-18T23:50:21","modified_gmt":"2024-09-18T23:50:21","slug":"influenzavirus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/childrenfirstmedicalgroup.org\/index.php\/2024\/09\/18\/influenzavirus\/","title":{"rendered":"Flu Season: What You Need to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSeptember 18, 2024\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>

Flu Season is Here: What You Need to Know About the Upcoming Virus Season<\/h2>\t\t\t\t
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Fall is full of excitement\u2014Back-to-School buzz, Halloween thrills, and cozy family moments. But there's one uninvited guest we can\u2019t forget: The Flu! Let\u2019s remember to stay protected and healthy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n



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Let\u2019s Talk About In(flu)enza:\u00a0<\/b><\/h5>

Influenza, better known as The Flu, is a respiratory sickness that can be often mistaken as a common cold. Like most viruses, influenza has different strains or types that stem from the virus. Influenza has four! The two types that we should pay attention to are Influenza A and B. Why? These two types, A and B, are primarily responsible for what we hear called\u00a0 \u201cthe flu season\u201d. Influenza is contagious and can spread person to person. Now, let\u2019s dive into some more helpful information about the flu.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

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Is the Flu Seasonal?\u00a0<\/b><\/h5>

Ever heard someone say, \u201cEveryone\u2019s got a cold\u2014it must be flu season\u201d? Well, that\u2019s because the flu does have a season! While the flu virus is around all year, it\u2019s most active during the fall and winter months. According to the CDC, flu cases start to rise in October and hit their peak between December and February. So yes, flu season is real! This is the time of year when we need to be extra careful and take steps to stay healthy. In the San Francisco Bay Area our flu season is heavily influenced by travel during the holiday season, Thanksgiving to New Years. People from colder climates where the flu season has already kicked in often travel to their families in the Bay Area. Consequently our flu season frequently begins over the holidays and peaks shortly after our holiday season has concluded.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

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What can you do to protect yourself?\u00a0<\/b><\/h5>

The best way to protect your kids and family from the flu is by getting the flu vaccine! Shots might seem scary, but they\u2019re here to help keep us safe. What does the shot do?\u00a0 Does the flu shot<\/span> give <\/span><\/i>you the flu? When you get the influenza vaccine, it helps your body build antibodies that fight off the influenza virus . <\/span>Once the vaccine is in your system it takes up to 2 weeks for it to kick in and protect you from the flu.<\/b>\u00a0 It does not give you the virus, it only gives you antibodies to fight the virus off! Here\u2019s what you should know:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>