'Tis the season for sweater weather, haunted houses, warm apple cider and our least favorite: Cold & Flu season in Illinois.

Just thinking about getting sick makes me sick to my stomach.  I don't know how other people feel, but being sick is the biggest inconvenience.

Think about it: You don't want to be around people because you're constantly sneezing and coughing, and they don't want to be around someone who's sick.  Am I wrong?!  It's a lose-lose for both parties, you're just a little more miserable.

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Anyway, when the winter months roll around more people tend to get sick and sometimes it's just unavoidable.  So let's talk FLU SEASON! 

Read More: Over 50% Of Illinois Residents Fake Sick To Get Out Of Work 

It's wild to see how many people were sick in 2019-2020 compared to 2021-2022.  Clearly, Covid played a big role in these numbers and there's no hiding it.

- 36 million cases in 2019-2020

- 9 million cases in 2021-2022

"2021-2022 flu season saw a dramatic decrease in influenza-related hospitalizations and deaths in the U.S. Estimates report"[Forbes]

 

Taking simple precautions like frequent handwashing, getting a flu shot, and staying home when you're feeling under the weather can make a big difference in staying safe and healthy this flu and cold season.

Why are fall and winter the best seasons to get the flu shot?

"Seasonal flu vaccines are designed to protect against infection and illness caused by the flu viruses that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming flu season." [CDC]

So, if you're trying to reduce your chances of getting sick or getting a bad case, here's what you should know about getting your flu shot this year.

Here's The Best Time To Get A Flu Shot In Illinois

It is recommended by the CDC that anyone who is 6 months and older get a flu vaccine by the end of October.  If you decide to get the flu shot after October, no worries.  It'll still be effective and beneficial!

Read More: 6 Things You Can Do So You Don't Get Sick

If you were wondering how deadly the flu actually is,

"it kills 400,000 people from respiratory disease each year on average. During large flu pandemics, when influenza strains evolved substantially, the death toll was even higher." [OWID]

Prioritize your health this cold and flu season - better safe than sorry!