We're already in the throes of flu season, although from the looks of Google Flu Trends (yes, that's a thing), we're experiencing low flu activity in the U.S. and Canada so far this year. That means it's not too late to get a flu shot for your kids, because they probably have not been exposed yet.

Here's what you need to know if you still need to get your kids vaccinated this year:

During cold and flu season, the gym is a breeding ground for germs. However, just because you have the sniffles yourself doesn't mean you have to swear off working out.

Before you dive in to your sweat session, evaluate: If your symptoms are below the neck -- such as nausea or upset stomach, chest congestion, hacking cough, body and muscle aches, or fatigue -- then you may want to take some time off from working out. While having a runny nose or sore throat isn't exactly a walk in the park, these ailments are a sign you can probably still sweat safely.

Think you're ready to take on the challenge? Check out these four great exercises for when you have a cold:

Coming down with a nasty cold -- or worse, the flu -- is never fun. When you're pregnant, though, it's really the pits! Not only do all of those unpleasant symptoms seem magnified (like you weren't already queasy!), it's like there's nothing you can do to make yourself feel better. All the usual tricks of the trade, like knocking back a nighttime decongestant, are definite "don'ts" when you're preggers.

But don't get too dejected -- you're not doomed to have the most miserable winter of your life. There are some ways to make yourself feel better when you're sick and expecting, and they really do work. Really! I've tried them.

You wake up in the morning feeling like crud: Your throat hurts, your nose is runny, your muscles ache, and all you want to do is crawl back into bed, pull your covers over your head, and sink into a deep, deep sleep.But how do you know if what you've got is a cold or the flu? Both are respiratory illnesses and share many symptoms, making them very difficult to tell apart, but the flu can sometimes lead to more serious complications, like pneumonia or bacterial infections, which can be dangerous.

Air O Swiss 7144A humidifier can be the best way to combat the dry skin, chapped lips, and scratchy throats that come from living in the warm, dry air your furnace is churning out right now, and it's a great way to ease discomfort from a stuffy nose.

But which humidifier should you buy? Well, as with most things, you get what you pay for ... 

We're in full swing with cold and flu season, and if you haven't battled the nastiness yet, you probably will soon. Case in point: This has turned into a very, very timely assignment for me as I tempted fate last week by saying I hadn't gotten sick in a long time, and promptly developed the sniffles (sigh).

Usually a cold means you're just sick enough to be miserable but not sick enough to stay home and wallow for more than a day, maybe. You've just got to dig deep, power through, and make yourself as comfortable as possible. These 10 tips ought to help you get through until you feel better.

1) Stay warm. A cold can actually make you feel cold, or at least make going out into the chilly fall air feel worse than normal. Wrap yourself in warm, fleecy blankets and fuzzy socks at home, and make sure you bundle up with a hat, mittens, and scarf when you go out. If there's ever an excuse for a Snuggie, this is it.

It's cold and flu season (yay.), which means it's time to stock up on the tissues, the decongestants, and the beauty products. It's a little known fact, but makeup is a key ingredient when you're trying to get over one nasty bitch of a runny nose. Because when you look good, you feel good. That's what we're going with here -- if you trick yourself with a little concealer here and some lip exfoliator there, those cold and flu symptoms may just disappear.

Here are 5 makeup tips for the cold and flu face.

At my second doctor's appointment, when I was only about eight weeks pregnant, my midwife told me that I should get a flu shot -- that day. I quietly mumble-asked her if it was safe, not wanting to insult her expertise, and she chirped, "Oh, yeah," as she pricked me in the arm with a needle.

Being the semi-neurotic person that I am, that day I spoke with a million people and Googled for hours on end, and it turns out, my midwife (obviously) was right. Flu shots are perfectly fine for pregnant women, actually recommended.

Here are five things you should know about the flu shot and pregnancy.