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New York – Each year, the flu season poses a significant public health challenge for healthcare professionals and this year is no exception. The flu season is begins officially on October 1st and continues until mid-May, with the usual peak occurring in mid-February.

Influenza is caused by a virus and symptoms include fever, muscle pains, sort throat, weakness and headache. If you get the flu, you are usually infectious for about a week. Symptoms are generally treatable in most adults unless they suffer from any number of chronic medical conditions.

To help battle this serious public health concern, the CDC (Center for Disease Control) recommends that every child, aged 6 months to 18 years, people over 50, and those who suffer from certain chronic medical conditions, be vaccinated.

This year’s vaccine contains two strains of influenza A as well as one of influenza B, providing plenty of protection for the potential flu-sufferer. The CDC believes this combination will provide protection from most strains of flu expected this year.

Though many people get the flu each year, it is not a disease to be taken lightly.

As many as 36,000 Americans will die of influenza this year with approximately 200,000 cases requiring hospitalization. Seniors are the most affected population contracting up to 90% of the cases.