Getting ready for sick season. Also ticks rebounding, flu sweeping, and dengue showing its teeth.

Yesterday, my worried daughter visited the pediatrician’s office to receive her flu shot. Rather than hurrying, the 20-something medical assistant took a moment to explain that the shot would provide her with a protective shield. Upon returning home, she immediately grabbed her superhero cape (and princess dress) and continued to wear it throughout the day.

To those working on the front lines: The words you share hold immense power. Thank you. As the changing season arrives, respiratory viruses, along with ticks, are becoming more prevalent, and a mosquito-borne disease is gaining attention in the United States. To address a question that is frequently asked, another tragic measles death has recently been reported in the news.

Here is your "dose" of essential health information and the most crucial guidance for you. The "disease weather" report alerts us to the resurgence of sickness during the fall season. YLE provides real-time updates on the twists and turns of the respiratory flu season each week, offering practical advice on what's happening and how to maintain good health.

However, I believe it is equally important to proactively prepare for the approaching sickness season. My team and I have created a five-part guide exclusively for paid subscribers to assist you in getting ready. This guide compiles our past work and expertise in this area. If you choose to upgrade to a paid subscription starting in October, we will send you five days of valuable advice, keeping you informed about what you need to know: Our comprehensive guide to fall vaccines: What's new, who needs what, and the most common questions we receive, along with a downloadable guide featuring Fall vaccine FAQs: Answers to the most frequently asked questions, all in one place; Habits that help keep you healthy: Evidence-based everyday practices that keep bugs at bay; What doesn't work: An analysis of trends and tips that are best ignored, so you don't waste time or money; and What to do if you get sick anyway: Science-backed advice to speed your recovery if prevention isn't enough.

Subscribe now for Disease "Weather" Report. Flu is currently sweeping from the West, with the outbreak beginning earlier this year than usual. In the West, up to 9.5% of tests are now positive for flu, indicating that the virus has entered its early stages. Typically, flu season officially begins around 3% and reaches its peak at around 18%, so the West is well on its way into the wave.

As the flu spreads, it will gradually make its way eastward, starting from the Pacific coast. While rates remain relatively low in the Northeast, they will begin to increase rapidly in the coming days.