It is a common misconception that you can only get the flu during a specific season. However, certain factors contribute to people getting sick more in the winter months. Flu season can generally start around October and go as late as May in some areas. These are the months where it does get colder, but the cold is not why we get the flu. The flu is the influenza virus, and the winter months are the best condition for this virus to survive. The cold doesn’t kill the virus as quickly, and it is dryer in the winter months. If we look at our behaviors in the wintertime, this will all make sense.

We generally stay indoors more in the winter, with our heat turned up, and windows and doors closed. Because we are staying inside more, we are simply around more people, making catching the flu more likely. Also, in the winter, the days are shorter, which means we get significantly less vitamin D in winter. That is a huge factor in our likelihood of catching the flu, as our immune system isn’t as strong. In the winter months, it is a good idea to take a vitamin D supplement. The habits make catching the flu much more likely in the winter. However, anyone can get the flu at any time of year.