Cold and flu are nothing new. Fortunately, medical science has come a long way in understanding them—and yet, these seasonal viruses are a real concern for the average American household. That’s because every year, somewhere between 5% and 20% of the American population are infected with flu. When it comes to the common cold, the numbers are far greater. The average individual comes down with 2-4 colds per year. In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it’s easy to let yourself get apathetic about preventing flu and cold. But once you or someone you love comes down with the virus, you’ll wonder what exactly happened and how it could have prevented. Let’s take a fresh look at cold and flu season, and how parents and families can prevent (or at least limit) these illnesses. When is flu season? The fall and winter months are generally considered to be flu season. The virus, which occurs in various strains, affects most people from December through March in North America. Historically, February is the peak month for flu infections. By April, cases of the flu drop dramatically and remain extremely slow until October. The common cold follows a similar pattern, peaking around