In the U.S., flu season typically runs from October to May, most commonly peaking between December and March. During the 2016-2017 flu season alone, 145.9 million people were vaccinated against influenza. Although modern medicine has significantly impacted the number of people affected by the flu, there was a time when tens of millions around the globe felt its reach. While vaccination is an effective course of preventative treatment, protection is not guaranteed. To boost protection, try the following recommendations:

Influenza, better known as the flu, is a highly contagious virus that attacks the respiratory system. The virus is passed from person to person though respiratory droplets emitted when an infected person talks, sneezes, or coughs. People find themselves at risk for contracting the flu when inhaling the infected droplets or touching their eyes, mouth or nose after touching something that has been infected.