Flu season is upon us—and it already looks like this one may be a bad one. This makes it more important than ever to stock up on a hardcore disinfectant like Clear Gear, the premier antibacterial spray for sports equipment.
Serious Indicators
Health officials announced that two people from Santa Clara County, including a healthy child, recently died from the flu. These cases occurred before the official start of the 2019-2020 flu season, which is October 1. Last year’s flu season ran from October 1, 2018, to May 4.
While influenza strains are unpredictable, there are indicators that predict more difficult seasons. When the Southern Hemisphere has a rough season, the same is typically experienced in the Northern Hemisphere. Most recently, Australia endured a particularly harsh period due to a virulent flu strain, H3N2, that came early. Symptoms were especially severe.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that there were between 37 and 43 million flu illnesses in the U.S. last year, with between 36,400 to 61,200 flu-related deaths. The CDC estimated that approximately 80,000 died from influenza illnesses during the 2017-2018 season.
Flu Season
While the flu can last deep into spring, activity usually starts in October or November. The flu season typically peaks around February and tapers off in March. However, the flu virus can be contracted all year long, even during hot summer months. Since the virus mutates and evolves every year, it’s difficult for experts to make predictions regarding particular strains.
CDC Recommendations
Many doctors and infectious disease experts promote the CDC’s recommendation that everyone over six months old get a flu vaccine. The CDC strongly recommends that pregnant women get a flu shot to protect themselves and their unborn babies. Since pregnancy causes oxygen consumption to increase while lung capacity decreases, this makes expectant mothers especially susceptible to life-threatening complications.
Experts estimate that it takes almost two weeks for the flu shot to build the required immunity. They recommend getting flu shots during October for best results.
Symptoms
Flu symptoms can come suddenly and with a vengeance, though everyone is different. Common flu symptoms often present like a cold—congestion, sore throat, cough, body aches, chills and fatigue. One of the major differences is that the flu tends to be accompanied by a fever, which is less common with colds. In addition, colds typically develop much slower than the flu.
Click through to learn more about how Clear Gear, the premier antibacterial spray for sports equipment, can help protect you and your loved ones from the flu.
