A burning fever, aching body, sore throat and runny nose are only a few of the most prominent symptoms of Influenza.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), influenza runs most severely rampant from October to May, which means we are now well into the first month of flu season.

In a 2011 University of Michigan study, scientists infected 17 healthy people with the flu virus and found that they all contracted the illness, but only half suffered from the symptoms.

“Many people might conclude that if you are exposed to a virus and you don’t get sick, it’s because the virus didn’t stick or it was so weak, it just passed right through your system and your system didn’t notice. That’s not a correct notion,” said the author of the study and University of Michigan professor, Alfred Hero in an interview with NBC News.  

So, even if you think you’re immune, and even if you never get diagnosed during flu season, you can still contract the disease — which means you can also spread it.

We, at The Collegian strongly encourage everyone to get their flu shot. If not for themselves, for the people around them.

Last year brought the deadliest flu season in 40 years, amassing 80,000 American deaths. The first death of the 2018-19 flu season struck in early October, killing a child in Florida.

Flu season also happens to be the holiday season, which means germ-ridden college students will return home for long weekends surrounded by family. Family who are young, old and everything in between.

Young children and elderly people are more likely to contract the flu virus. According to the CDC, nearly 20,000 children are hospitalized due to flu-related illness every year. Likewise, in the past few years, it is estimated that between 70 and 85 percent of flu-related deaths have been people over the age of 65.

After receiving the shot, people can expect to experience arm soreness and even a few flu-like symptoms, both minor forms of discomfort compared to the trials and tribulations sure to accompany an actual flu diagnosis.

See the HealthMap Vaccine Finder for administration sites near you.

Protect yourself. Protect your friends and your family. Protect strangers you walk past on campus.

Get your flu shot.