As summer wraps up, it’s time to start thinking about fall and winter again — and yes, unfortunately, that includes the looming threat of Influenza, the virus known as the Flu. Influenza viruses change every year, requiring new or updated vaccines.  There are two ways this virus can change.  One is the antigenic drift  which produces new virus strains through changes that take place gradually, over time. The other change is through antigenic shift — any abrupt and major change that results  in new hemagglutinin and/or new hemagglutinin and neuraminidase proteins in influenza viruses that infect humans.  When these changes take place, there is little chance the body with prior immunity will be able to recognize the virus, and will treat it as an entirely new threat.

Here’s what you need to know about the flu and the ways it changes, and why you need a new vaccine periodically.

Protect your home with in home security systems.