The most severe years of the flu in recent history were 2014-2015; however, 2018 has already been worse. Influenza went from 4.9% of the population getting influenza to 5.8% which was only the peak in 2014-2015.

With the temperatures dropping into the negatives for the past two weeks, no one has had any interest in staying outside for more than five minutes. Instead people are taking cover in the comfort of their own homes, the only problem with that is that the germs are being trapped inside along with the people.

According to BBC Future, up to five million people each year catch the flu. Just in the United States alone 36,000 people each year die from the flu or complications from the flu according to the CDC.

Some common symptoms of the flu are:

1. Fever
2. Cough
3. Sore throat
4. Runny/Stuffy nose
5. Achy body
6. Headaches
7. Fatigue

Another reason that people are more susceptible to catching the flu in the winter time is that when you are indoors all day you are not getting any vitamin D which comes from the sunlight. Vitamin D is what the body needs power the immune system. There are a few other ways of getting vitamin D, however nothing compares to the exposure of sunlight.

Six ways to prevent are flu are the following, according to CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

1. Avoid Close Contact
2. Stay home when you are sick
3. Cover your mouth and nose
4. Clean your hands
5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth
6. Practice other good health habits

If you get the flu it is recommended to stay home and away from healthy people. Resting and drinking plenty of fluids helps the most. It is recommended to stay home for at least 24 hours, and if the illness persists, seek medical attention at the doctors.