The flu season usually begins when cold weather appears. Why? There’s no apparent reason. It’s simply a characteristic of the flu and the timing of the seasons.
Outbreaks of the flu occur in different seasonal patterns depending on the region in the world. In temperate climate zones, flu season will typically begin in the late fall and peak in mid- to late winter. And in tropical zones, flu seasons appear to be less pronounced, with year-round isolation of the virus.
In the United States, the flu season is generally considered between October and May with the peak of the season falling between late December and March.
However, the overall health impact of the flu varies from year to year. Unfortunately, infection, hospitalizations, and deaths can’t be predicted, but by knowing about flu treatment and prevention options, you can be better prepared to face the flu season.
Our FluTracker application can inform you on where the flu is at all times — so you can prepare yourself and your family.