Staying Healthy and Happy During Flu Season

Flu season is here, and it's not just about avoiding the sniffles. It's about making sure you don't miss out on all the fun stuff happening around you. The city health department is spending a lot of money to remind everyone to get vaccinated and take extra care to stop the flu from spreading. They want people to wash their hands more, wear masks, cover their mouths when they cough or sneeze, and keep things clean. Experts are worried this flu season might be a bad one. There's a new flu variant with some tricky changes that might make it harder for the vaccine to work. But don't worry, the vaccine can still help keep you from getting really sick or ending up in the hospital. It can also protect you from other flu strains that are going around.In New York, lots of people have already caught the flu this season. The numbers have gone up a lot in just a few weeks. More people are getting so sick they have to go to the hospital. This year, flu season started earlier than last year, but the worst of it might still be coming after the holidays. If you or someone in your family gets sick, it's important to stay home until you feel better. You should also wear a mask, especially if you're not sure what's making you sick. If you think you have the flu, go see a doctor within 48 hours. They can give you medicine to help you feel better faster. Over-the-counter medicines can also help with fever and body aches. Living in a small apartment can make it hard to stay healthy if someone in your family is sick. But washing your hands a lot can help stop the flu from spreading. It's all about taking care of yourself and others.