Influenza is a respiratory virus that affects the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs by presenting symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, runny/stuffy nose, muscles aches, and fatigue. Flu cases start to increase when outside temperatures decline, and people are spending more time indoors (close contact). The flu season runs from October to May, but LCHD continues surveillance year-round to detect any unusual trends. It is important to prevent yourself from getting the flu by getting vaccinated to keep yourself and others protected.