It's flu season everyone, and if you are lucky enough, you will escape without being inflicted. I, however, was not so fortunate. For the past three weeks, I have been rundown and sick. However, I toughed it out and refused to go to the doctor until last week when it got so bad my teacher essentially forced me to go. Of course, I had the flu.

Thankfully, we live in a county where we can get flu shots and other vaccinations to compensate for health ailment. Unfortunately, I can't get a flu shot because the shot contains egg protein and I am incredibly allergic to eggs. However, this allergy does not mean I am against vaccines. My parents were adamant I was vaccinated for the measles, mumps, rubella, chicken pox, and even yellow fever for traveling abroad.

I understand that it is compelling to follow beautiful and thin Instagram influencers who promote healthy living. However, you cannot take what these influencers say as fact, especially if they aren't licensed, professionals. If you are following bloggers and other video content producers who are sharing health advice, please make sure they are consulting with a medical practitioner. It is one thing to share your experiences and opinions, but please do not share them as fact. Try to preface it with "I'm not a doctor, but in my experience..." You never know who will read your work or how they will interpret it.

Whenever I write, I make sure my words are passed off of my personal experience. I wrote one article about juice cleanses and another about spinning. Although I am not a fan of either of them, I made sure the readers knew the words were based on my own personal experience, not medical fact. Although vaccines often protect against life-threatening diseases and have been called the greatest public health achievements in history, there has been an upsurge of individuals who are not vaccinating their children because of controversial links to autism. If you have not read the article that a creator wrote for Odyssey - you can read it here. Essentially, she lays down the law that these assumptions are not correct, despite what the internet says.

Regardless of where you are getting your diagnosis or medical information from, please make sure it is rooted in fact. The internet is great because there is countless of information out there, but it is far too easy to spread fake information. I don't mean it isn't okay to read the health section of online magazines since those writers are contacting medical professionals to ensure what they are writing is accurate. I mean trusting influencers sponsored by detox teas to promote their products are not the people you should go to for health advice.

Wherever you go, make sure you take care of yourself. If essential oils make you feel good, then go for it, but don't neglect antibiotics when the time is right.