As the hot and sweet summer days come to a close, fall approaches to bring us wonderful things like Pumpkin Spice lattes, shopping for costumes and gifts, and savoring the slow roll into the holidays. Unfortunately, it also brings us the flu season. Although it’s most common in the fall and winter months, you can catch the flu (short for the influenza virus) at any time of the year. The flu virus can spread quickly and easily, able to be contracted within six feet of someone who is sick. A ... [Read More]
Flu
Flu shot myths debunked
This year marks the centennial of a worldwide flu pandemic that sickened more about 500 million people, of whom 50 million died, including 675,000 Americans. Despite the totality of the pandemic, what many more found shocking was the amount of victims who were young (between the ages of 20-40) and otherwise healthy. After all, this was in the midst of World War I as if there wasn’t enough death and destruction in the world. Today, the flu can be prevented or at least mitigated with a simple ... [Read More]
My muscles are sore and I haven’t been working out: Why?
The feeling of sore muscles after a good workout can tell you that you worked hard and are moving towards achieving your fitness goals, whatever they may be. Or if you go on a beautiful hike and your legs are sore the next day, it’s almost a pleasant feeling. You can stretch and rest a bit without giving it much thought. But what about when your muscles are sore, but you haven’t been working out? What could it be? Although less common than muscle pain from exercise or exertion, your muscles ... [Read More]
Why is the flu so bad this year?
Each year, influenza, or the “flu” causes widespread illness, hospitalizations, and even death. But in the 2017-18 flu season, the entire continental US was shown by the Centers for Disease Control to have widespread flu activity this winter. It is the first time since the CDC started monitoring flu activity in this way 13 years ago. Why is the flu so bad this year? The strain of flu that people catch varies from year to year, and there is a typical “flu season” every year. It varies ... [Read More]
Guarding Against the Flu
Flu season, much like winter, can come at you pretty hard. On top of bundling up and preparing for the cold, now you have to watch out for the spread of germs that run rampant around the same time of year. Millions are affected by influenza, or the flu, each year. Some may be hospitalized for their symptoms and a few of those people might even die from effects of the flu. That’s why knowing how to avoid the flu and protect yourself is so important. The feeling of a running nose, fever, cough, ... [Read More]
