STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — If you haven’t yet prepared for flu season, now is the time to start.

Seasonal flu viruses are detected year-round in the United States, but the flu is most common during a certain time of the year — during flu season.

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . It can cause mild to severe illness, and sometimes lead to death.

The illness is believed to be spread mainly by tiny droplets made when people with the flu cough, sneeze, or talk.

The CDC stated that the exact timing and duration of flu seasons may vary, but activity typically begins to increase in October.

Most of the time, flu activity peaks between December

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