It’s that time of year again: flu season. This year, the flu is hitting hard, with reports of 100 deaths from the virus already in some areas.

With such a high number of fatalities, it’s important to understand the severity of the flu and what precautions you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones.

What Is the Flu?

The flu, also known as influenza, is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and can include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, and fatigue.

In some cases, the flu can lead to severe complications such as pneumonia and even death.

How Does the Flu Spread?

The flu is spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can then be inhaled by others nearby or can land on surfaces that others touch.

The flu can also be spread by touching a surface contaminated with the virus and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.

Who Is at Risk?

Everyone is at risk of contracting the flu, but certain groups are more vulnerable than others. These include:.

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• Young children
• Elderly adults
• Pregnant women
• People with weakened immune systems
• People with chronic medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and heart disease

How Can You Protect Yourself?

The best way to protect yourself from the flu is to get vaccinated. The flu vaccine is recommended for everyone six months of age and older and is particularly important for those at increased risk of complications from the flu.

Other precautions you can take include:.

• Washing your hands frequently with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Avoiding close contact with people who are sick
• Covering your nose and mouth with a tissue or your elbow when you cough or sneeze
• Staying home from work or school if you are sick

What Should You Do if You Get the Flu?

If you think you have the flu, it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Your doctor can prescribe antiviral medications that can help lessen the severity and duration of your symptoms.

You should also stay home and avoid contact with others to prevent spreading the virus.

Conclusion

The flu can be a serious illness, and with reports of 100 deaths from the virus already, it’s important to take precautions to protect yourself and your loved ones.

Get vaccinated, practice good hand hygiene, and seek medical attention if you become ill. By taking these steps, you can help to prevent the spread of the flu and reduce the risk of severe complications.