Flu season has hit since it’s now fall time. Flu viruses are most common during fall and winter. The exact times can vary but flu activity increases in October, peaks between December and February, and can last as late as May.

The flu spreads from a person touching a person or touching a surface or object that has a flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth or nose. When a person sneezes or coughs, the virus can be spread up to six feet and doesn’t always present its symptoms right away.

Another thing that most people think is that they weather affects your chances of the flu which is not true. The weather doesn’t affect your chances because the flu is a viral illness.

The CDC recommends that everyone six months or older, to get a yearly flu vaccine. This year it’s not recommended to get the nasal spray but an injectable vaccine that has been updated to the strain that is most common during the year.

There are groups of people who are at higher risk of getting the flu if they don’t get the shot. Elderly (65 and older), pregnant women, young children and people with the following conditions: Asthma, heart disease and stroke, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, cancer, and children with neurologic conditions.

The good news is; preventive steps can stop the spread of germs. Avoid contact as best as you can with sick people. If you are sick then limit your contact with other people, cover your mouth or nose if you cough or sneeze and then throw the tissue away, and wash your hands often with soap and water. In general, avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes, and clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like the flu.

“Just wash your hands after blowing your nose or before you touch your face, washing your hands can prevent the spread of germs,” says Danielle Walker, Big Sky’s School Nurse

There have not been any confirmed cases at Big Sky, but several kids have gone home due to vomiting and not feeling good. Around this time is usually when that kids get sick.  According to Walker, anytime we come back together from a break is when kids usually get sick because of all the germs being spread around.

“This flu season has been better than last year so far. Early cases and early vaccines are keeping the fly at bay,” says Dede Ferguson, a Post Care RN at Community Medical Center.

So far there are 11 confirmed cases in Missoula. There is no cure for the flu but antiviral medicines to lessen the symptoms and make it go by faster. More information can be accessed through the CDC website and local physicians.