There’s no getting around it: the flu is no fun.

No matter which stage of the flu you’re in, feeling better ASAP is a priority. That takes rest and time, of course.

When that first day of flu illness hits, it’s normal to wonder: how long is this going to last?

This post will provide details on daily symptoms, COVID vs. flu, and a timeline of what to expect as this common illness progresses.

Below, get a day-by-day timeline of how long you’ll feel crummy and tips for a faster recovery.

This season, you may get the flu.

It's that time of year and despite your best efforts, it happens. If it does, you’ll want to be prepared with the best home remedies for flu and cough. In doing so, you can ease your symptoms and stay more comfortable.

And if you have had the flu, you know how miserable it can be.

Flu symptoms range from aches, chills, fever, nasal congestion, cough, and fatigue.

While the flu shot can make symptoms more mild — as can prescribed antiviral drugs like Tamiflu — luckily rest and home remedies are all most people need for a mild flu case.

For those who are open to trying whatever helps the flu, this post is for you!

When you’re sick with the flu, the last thing you want to do is plan meals.

That’s why we’ve compiled this list of the best food and drink for the flu. This list is based on how each item can relieve your symptoms and help speed up recovery. Plus, most of them don’t take much time to prepare, so you can get back to resting ASAP.

Even if you don’t feel like eating, it’s important to at least try. In order to get better, you have to eat to maintain your strength and stay hydrated.

And since the cold and flu season is upon us, these food and drink options will work just as well if you’re dealing with a cold, too.

Ready to stock your cupboard with all the flu fighting essentials?

Here’s a list of the best foods and drinks for the flu:

As the cooler weather starts to come around, so does the 2020 flu season.

Add the COVID-19 pandemic on top of it, and this flu season could be a challenging one for workplaces and healthcare facilities alike.

This year, health officials are urging individuals to get their flu shots not only to stay healthy, but to also minimize the burden on healthcare systems. During the 2019-2020 flu season alone, up to 740,000 individuals were hospitalized due to the flu and its complications.

This post will cover the 5 Ws of what everyone needs to know about flu season including who needs the vaccine, what the difference is between COVID-19 and flu symptoms, when it's needed, where you can get one, and why everyone needs one.

Here’s a look at the 2020 flu season details every employer needs this year.

The workplace environment is much different this year as we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.

Likewise, any wellness events — including flu shot clinics — are also quite different and need an extra level of careful planning. More sanitation methods, plentiful social distancing, and daily mask-wearing are all part of the normal employee gatherings these days.

Since the flu season this year will also be paired with COVID-19 challenges, it’s more important than ever for employers to encourage workers to get the flu shot.

If you normally host an annual flu shot clinic, you may want to start considering the pros and cons of an outdoor versus indoor option. You’ll need to put even more thought into event space, signage, entrances, exits, consent forms, and more.

Below, we break down the factors to keep in mind to make the best choice for your employees when it comes to hosting a flu shot clinic this year.

No one wants the flu, ever.

The thought of the aches, chills, headaches, and fatigue alone that accompany the flu is enough to make most people cringe. Luckily, one of the biggest benefits of flu shots is that it can lessen the severity of the flu and even prevent it altogether.

Just a few of the reasons to get vaccinated:

• It means less time off work
• It protects those around you
• It lessens the flu’s severity if you get it

Given that last year’s flu season kicked off early and we had the highest recorded level of flu activity since 2012, it’s time to consider the benefits of flu shots now.

And while flu vaccines won’t prevent COVID-19, it can reduce the burden of flu-related cases on the healthcare system to focus care on those infected with COVID-19.

Need a little more convincing?

Here are six reasons to get your flu shot this season:

It’s time to get your flu shot facts straight.

With flu season coming up shortly, you may be looking for solid data and stats to share with your staff. For those who have had the flu, there’s a common understanding of how miserable it can be. Chances are good that some employees have no problem getting their annual flu shot while others may hesitate.

There's a lot of misinformation out there about flu shots, including the "flu shot gives you the flu" and now the "flu shot will make you test positive for coronavirus." The excuses for not getting flu shots may seem endless, too.

Ready to cut through the noise and get just the flu shot facts?

We’ve got you covered.

In this post, you’ll find nothing but the facts, plus some of the best resources to share with employees about the flu and flu vaccinations.

Yes, the flu is still around.

And no, it’s not too late to get flu shots in January.

Flu season typically starts at the beginning of fall and tapers off toward the end of spring. Given that this flu season got off to an unusually strong start  — with flu-related deaths being up more than 65% in 2020 so far — considering a flu vaccine isn’t a bad idea.

So far, 9.7 million people have gotten the flu this season. 

Not interested in being a statistic?

Preventative measures — like the flu vaccine — are still available.

Below we dive into the flu season so far this year and tips for employers to avoid the spread of it in the workplace.

We've had years of experience holding flu shot clinics and have heard every excuse in the book for skipping out on your yearly vaccine. If you or your employees have reservations or have heard rumors about the flu shot, send this handy list to them to ensure they know the facts about getting protected from the flu. 

Excuse #1: I've heard you can get the flu from the flu shot. 

We hear this one all the time! It’s by far the most widely spread misconception about the vaccine. Flu shots are currently made in one of two ways: the vaccine is made either with flu viruses that have been ‘inactivated’ (killed) and are therefore not infectious, or with no flu viruses at all.

It's scientifically impossible to get the flu from a flu vaccine. In addition to this, the shot does not offer instantaneous protection, but rather takes a week or two to kick in. Therefore, anyone who comes down with an influenza virus right after getting the shot already had the virus in their system.  

There’s no getting around it: flu season is the worst.

Not just for employees who suffer from a bout of the flu, but also for the businesses that employ workers who catch the flu.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the flu accounts for billions of dollars in medical costs and lost wages. Most employees end up in the doctor’s office or sometimes even hospitalized.

The timeline of time off can be rough, too. Employees may need up to two weeks of sick days for flu recovery — sometimes longer if there are complications.

By understanding the seriousness of the flu and taking preventative measures — like hosting a flu shot clinic— you can encourage employees to get vaccinated and stay healthy during flu season.

Here’s a look at how dangerous the flu is physically and financially: