As we welcome the season of sweater weather, football-filled weekends, and colorful fall leaves, we need to keep a watchful eye on our health. As scary as Halloween is, October’s most frightening event is the start of flu season. Keep reading for our official survival guide so that you can enjoy all of fall's festivities cold and flu free.

Why Do We Get Sick During Flu Season?

Flu season generally starts in October and peaks after the new year. Despite popular belief, the cold weather does not create the virus, it helps the flu and common cold spread. Here’s why the cold and flu wreak havoc more frequently during the cooler months of the year:

Dry air dehydrates your mucous membranes. This inhibits your body’s natural ability to ward off respiratory virus infections and gives bacteria a place to call home.

• Germs linger for longer. Microorganisms that reside in high-touch areas or float through the air, stay around for longer in chilly weather. Virus-carrying droplets will fall to the ground in humidity, whereas in cooler temperatures, the flu virus can fly up to six feet in the air.

Vitamin D deficiency weakens your immune system. The sun gives us a natural immune boost through Vitamin D exposure. In the fall and winter, this decreases, lowering our ability to fight infections.

Cold Vs. Flu: What to Watch Out For

The common cold and flu have several overlapping symptoms. The first telltale difference between the two viruses is that the flu tends to come on suddenly, often with severe symptoms like muscle aches and headaches. A cold progresses gradually, starting with sneezing, a stuffy nose, or a sore throat.  

Once infected, the cold tends to pass within one week and has mild symptoms. The flu is notably more severe and tends to stick around longer.

Symptoms of both the cold and flu include:

• Fever.

• Chills.

• Muscle or body aches.

Fever, chills, muscle and body aches, headaches, and fatigue are more common with the flu. A sore throat, sneezing, and a running or stuffy nose are more common with the cold.

7 Easy Ways to Survive the Cold & Flu Season

Avoid getting sick during the cold and flu season. Save your sick time with these simple, science-backed strategies:

7 Easy Ways to Survive the Cold & Flu Season

Avoid getting sick during the cold and flu season with these simple, science-backed strategies:

Fend off germs by stocking up on fluids. Staying properly hydrated is the best way to both prevent and relieve symptoms of sickness. Fluids flush out toxins and help thin mucus, drain sinuses, and relieve stuffy noses. While water is a must, you can quickly supercharge your hydration and reward your tastebuds and energy levels by adding the Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier to your water.

While water is a must, you can quickly supercharge your hydration and reward your tastebuds by adding Liquid I.V. to your water.

• Get some exercise. Physical activity helps to boosts your immune system. Bonus points for the stress-relieving benefits of sweating. Stress doesn't do your body any favors.

• Keep your hands clean. Influenza can quickly be transferred through hand contact. Scrub them frequently.

• Get more sleep. You need to recharge your batteries to ward off sickness. Shoot for 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep per night.

Avoid touching your face. Cold and flu viruses enter your body through the mucous membranes of the nose, eyes, and mouth.

Keep your environment clean. Countertops, door knobs, light switches, and television remotes are all places where you can easily pick up germs.  

Consider a flu shot. The flu shot is a preventative measure well worth your consideration.

What Should I Do If I Get Sick?  

Prepare yourself for sickness with tissues, hand sanitizer, and hydrating fluids. If you do get sick, you’ll have to let the virus run its course. Many of the preventative measures mentioned previously can also help to relieve sickness symptoms. Stay properly hydrated with Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier and water, get plenty of rest, and do your best to avoid spreading the virus. As always, see your doctor for severe or lingering symptoms.

Hydration is a must for infection prevention and symptom relief. Do you have additional questions about how Liquid I.V. helps to keep you hydrated? Feel free to reach out directly at info@liquid-iv.com.