Each fall, flu season arrives right on schedule. And in preparation of the newest wave of influenza, doctors and other medical professionals recommend that everyone get the flu shot. The flu vaccine is the easiest way to keep yourself protected from this dangerous illness.

More commonly known as the flu, influenza is a respiratory illness that can be caused by different types of influenza viruses. It should not be confused with the “stomach flu,” which causes abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.

When cold and flu season begins, it can affect absolutely everyone. But if you have kids, your family is even more susceptible – and far more likely to get sick. And when the cold or flu strikes, it can mean missing school, work, and all kinds of other responsibilities.

The weather may be cooling down but, as per usual, flu season is starting to heat up! Flu season isn’t as predictable as the cycle of the moon, but it does ebb and flow this time of year fairly reliably. Flu season (the season marked by a prevalence of outbreaks of influenza) occurs during the colder months of each respective hemisphere. For North Americans, that’s the winter months of October through to March.

You’ve likely suffered from the flu at least once in your life. It isn’t fun, is it? Maybe you’re a new parent and you’re worried about your child getting the flu. If that’s the case, you’ve come to the right place. Many parents have doubts about the flu shot, but we’ve come up with 10 great reasons why you should vaccinate your kids.

We’ve all received countless pieces of health advice. Some are too good to be true. Unfortunately, most of them are (especially the ones your grandmother told you)