Other than knowing that we don’t want any of them, what is the difference between influenza (the flu), a common cold and the stomach flu? Knowledge is power! Today we’re talking about illnesses, how they spread and prevention.

Let’s start with the flu...
Influenza, more commonly known as the flu, is “in-season” throughout winter and into spring. Though we think of it as common, it can get very serious. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the US saw a record number of deaths associated with the flu in the 2017-18 flu season: an estimated 80,000 people. This number is based on death certificate reports of influenza or pneumonia. It's not something to take lightly when symptoms get severe.