Flu Forecast: What to know about influenza season

As the days get shorter and nights get colder, the influenza virus can become more prevalent throughout communities. Typically, influenza cases rise in the fall, peak in the winter and decrease in the spring.

Public health experts are hopeful that come fall, people will practice the safety measures learned during the COVID pandemic, which could mitigate influenza transmission again this season.

• 1. Get a flu shot. An annual influenza vaccine offers protection against four common flu viruses. Called a quadrivalent vaccine, it protects against influenza A (H1N1) virus, influenza A (H3N2) virus and two influenza B viruses.

• 2. Don’t touch the face. The virus lives in respiratory droplets, including eye and nasal secretions and saliva.

• 3. Maintain good hand hygiene. As we learned with COVID-19, frequently and thoroughly washing hands with soap and water removes or greatly reduces the likelihood of transmitting the virus.

• 4. Stay home if feeling sick. People who feel unwell or who have symptoms of influenza such as fever, body aches, sore throat or coughs should stay away from others to avoid transmission. It’s difficult to predict what this flu season will be like, but good preparation remains the same as previous years. Take the proper precautions, be alert and consult a physician or health professional if symptoms are concerning.