Drawing by Michelle Spark - Column by John Kain

I was talking with a friend recently and she asked a very intriguing question: Why is winter the flu season? Whenever these questions arise, particularly ones about viruses, I call my brother. He's a non-medical doctor (an entomologist) who is nonetheless fascinated with diseases˜he did his doctorate dissertation on ticks and lyme disease. I call him the "Bug
Doctor."

He told me that there has been no scientific studies relating cold weather directly to the spread of disease insofar as the winter chill impacting human immune systems. Yet because in winter we tend to stay indoors and gather in large groups (schools are in session, shopping malls are full) the spread of disease is greatly increased. "Are there summer outbreaks of the flu?" I asked. He said that there were occasional summer outbreaks but those were mainly due to northern to southern (and vice versa) hemisphere travel˜a winter flu victim travels to a summer environment. "But," he said "you should really check the CDC web site for the full story of the flu."

For those who have not spent a few hours scanning the annals of the CDC I endorse it highly, though some of the information can increase your anxiety rather than lower it - there seems to be a disease lurking under every rock. Sure enough there is no scientific data linking cold weather directly to the increased risk of getting influenza. Though there are some studies that suggest the influenza virus does better in cold weather than in warm. As my brother assumed, the main cause of the "flu season" is that people spend more time indoors and in crowds, breathing the same air.

The flu virus is often transmitted to humans by animals, mostly birds (though sometimes pigs˜remember the "Swine Flu"˜and other mammals), and it often follows avian migratory patterns. China seems to be a veritable "petri dish" for the flu virus because there is much more human to animal contact on an everyday level. The World Health Oraganization has what they call an "Animal Influenza Network" [AIN], which is an integral component of the WHO Influenza Surveillance Program. It "focuses on aspects of ecology and molecular biology of animal influenza viruses in the context of human health."

Over the last 21 years, in North America, February has averaged the highest amount of influenza infections. To prevent influenza the CDC recommends a flu shot but for those that have not gotten one they suggest (and it's pretty much common sense) that you:
1. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
2. If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
3. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
4. Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.
5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.

How do you know if you have the flu? The CDC says the flu usually comes on suddenly and they list these common flu symptoms:
* High fever
* Headache
* Tiredness/weakness (can be extreme)
* Dry cough
* Sore throat
* Runny nose
* Body or muscle aches
* Diarrhea and vomiting also can occur, but are more common in children.

If you do get the flu here are the CDC's recommendations: If you develop flu-like symptoms, but you do not have an underlying medical condition:
* Get plenty of rest
* Drink a lot of liquids
* Avoid using alcohol and tobacco
* Consider taking over-the-counter medications to relieve the symptoms of flu (but never give aspirin to children or teenagers who have flu-like symptoms)
* Stay home and avoid contact with other people to protect them from catching your illness
* Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze to protect others from your germs. Most healthy people recover from the flu without complications.

Stay warm. Stay healthy.