۱۰ Facts About the Flu You Should Know

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness that can cause symptoms including fever, coughing, chills, body aches, and fatigue. Flu season strikes every year, and the virus can spread rapidly in schools and workplaces.
Some people who get the flu recover without complications in about one to two weeks. But the flu can be dangerous for young children and people 65 years old and up. Some flu-related complications are also life-threatening.
It’s important to arm yourself with as much knowledge as possible. This way, you know how to better protect yourself.

While many people get the flu at least once in their lifetime, you might not know everything about this illness. Here are 10 facts about the flu you should know.
1. Flu season is between October and May
When you think about the flu virus, you may assume that it only strikes in the winter. While it’s true that flu season can peak in the winter, you can get the flu in the fall and spring, too.

۲. The flu is contagious before symptoms start
The flu is highly contagious partly because it’s possible to pass the virus on before you become sick. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source, you can infect someone with the virus one day before your symptoms
start.
3. Flu symptoms can start abruptly
The onset of flu symptoms can happen rapidly. You may feel fine one day, and be unable to do anything one or two days later due to your symptoms.
4. It takes up to two weeks for the flu vaccine to work
Getting a seasonal flu vaccine is one of the best ways to protect yourself against the influenza virus.
5. You need a new flu vaccine every year
The predominant flu viruses circulating this season will differ from next year’s viruses. This is because the virus undergoes changes each year. Therefore, you’ll need a new vaccine every year to protect yourself.

۶. The flu vaccine doesn’t cause the flu
One misconception is that the flu vaccine causes the flu. One variety of the flu shot does include a severely weakened form of the flu virus. It doesn’t cause real infection, but it allows your body to develop necessary antibodies. Another variety of the flu shot only includes dead, or inactivated, virus.
7. The flu can cause life-threatening complications

The flu vaccine is especially important if you’re at risk for flu-related complications. Complications are more likely to occur in certain groups, such as:
• people who are at least 65 years old
• young children, especially those under 2 years old
• pregnant women and women who are up to two weeks postpartum
• people who have a weakened immune system
• people who have chronic conditions
• Native Americans (American Indians and Alaska Natives)
• people with extreme obesity, or a body mass index (BMI) of at least 40

۸. You can still get the flu after a vaccination
9. There are different types of flu vaccines
10. People with egg allergies can still receive a flu vaccine