The seasonal flu is something parents and the elderly are especially concerned about each year, but some may not know necessarily when it is and what it means. During certain parts of the year, the flu somehow seems to be more commonplace among friends and colleagues at work. Why is this so?
Flu season tends to hit around winter. Because of this, many people tend to associate cold weather with the flu. Though there is a correlation between cold weather and the flu, cold weather itself does not cause the flu. It is caused by people staying indoors and more close in contact with each other to stay warm. Because of this, the flu can transmit itself more successfully between other people. This does not occur only with direct contact with sick people, such as being coughed by a sick person on or touching a sick person. Unfortunately, the flu virus can also survive on surfaces and in the air where sick people have been earlier because of its ability to survive in the general environment.
In addition, those with the flu tend not to show symptoms when first contracting it. It takes anywhere from 24-72 hours for a person with the flu to show symptoms. Unfortunately, though that same person may not show symptoms, he or she is still shedding the virus – that is, that person can still transmit the virus to other people unknowingly. This, coupled with people in closer contact due to the cold weather and the virus’ ability to survive in the environment, helps cause what is known as flu season during the winter.
