Flu and holidays Health Article

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Reviewer Info: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. ; ADAM Health Illustrated Encyclopedia, 02/19/2009

Alternative Names

Holidays and the flu

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Question:

Why is the flu more common during the winter holiday season?

Answer:

The combination of being indoors more frequently, being exposed to more people at social occasions, and being under increased stress during the winter holidays can explain the higher incidence of the flu. The winter holiday season also often occurs during the peak or near peak of the annual flu "epidemic."

See: Influenza

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