When you do these four things your risk of influenza may increase.

When your colleagues cough, you are not paranoid. Our current flu season is turning into a bad one.

span= "article-image inner caption-class"> The United States is facing one of the worst influenza seasons in ten years. (Image: golubovy/istock/gettyimages)

Because of inadequate vaccines and persistent cold weather, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) calls this influenza season moderately severe. On the positive side: So far, the hospitalization rate is only half of the flu season in 2014-2015. Nevertheless, in the United States, influenza causes about 12,000 deaths in mild years and about 56,000 deaths in moderately severe years. According to CDC data, influenza activity levels are high in 26 states.

So take heart and avoid doing these four things in order to keep in good condition during the flu season.

h3>1. The suggestion that there is no flu vaccine sounds obvious, but according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about three-fifths of Americans are not vaccinated during the flu season. Not vaccinating can put you at risk of serious illness and spread it to other vulnerable groups, including pregnant women, young children and the elderly.

So what prevents people from getting the flu vaccine? Many people believe that influenza vaccines can cause influenza. We are pleased to confirm that it can be treated. Although others believe that the vaccine is ineffective, vaccination actually reduces the risk of influenza by 40 to 60 percent. We like the possibility. In addition, if you eventually catch the flu, vaccination will help alleviate your symptoms, so that your life will not be so painful. Fortunately, it's not too late to get the flu vaccine. Although vaccination tends to decrease in mid-November, the influenza season usually peaks in February, and the spread of influenza viruses can last until May. Therefore, if you are a member of 60% of the unvaccinated population, please consult your medical service provider or check this map to find a clinic in your area.

< h3> 2. The number of cases of influenza in emergency rooms has reached the highest level in many years, and the number of patients with influenza-like symptoms has increased dramatically in emergency rooms all over the country. There are too many patients seeking treatment for influenza in hospitals. Some doctors require people with non-emergency symptoms to go to emergency centers or to see primary care doctors.

Not only will you help your health provider, but you will also protect your own health: if you go to the emergency room and don't really have the flu, you may get it from those who have it. When do you go to the emergency room? If you have emergency symptoms such as dyspnea, dizziness, insanity or uncontrollable fever, go ahead. But in the vast majority of cases, flu can be treated at home with bed rest, large amounts of fluids and over-the-counter drugs such as ibuprofen.

h3>3. Ignore your symptoms. If you have a runny nose, you may pretend that it's in your head and continue your life as usual. In fact, a 2016 survey found that 62% of Americans are ill at work.

But not slowing down may aggravate your cold or flu. Research shows that stress weakens your immune system, making your body more vulnerable to viruses and more resistant to viruses. Therefore, when you feel uncomfortable, 100% persistence may prolong your illness from a few days to several weeks. Instead, just rest at home.

h3>4. Stay up late

We understand. It's hard to meet deadlines, maintain a healthy social life and catch up with the latest Netflix original. But if you need time, don't borrow money from sleep.

David Katz, founder of Yale University Prevention Research Center, told Health that research shows that our bodies need seven to eight hours of sleep to stimulate immune responses against natural killer cells that attack viruses. Should. & Sleep is the most reliable way for me to resist infection. If you feel symptoms, rest as much as possible and watch the program later.

What do you think? What are you doing to reduce the risk of influenza? Do you usually get a flu vaccine? Please tell us in the comments section!