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The Disease Influenza, known more
commonly as "the flu," is caused by the influenza virus, which
infects the respiratory tract (nose, throat, and lungs). Unlike many other
viral respiratory infections, such as the common cold, the flu can cause
severe illness and life threatening complications in many people. Influenza is a respiratory
illness. Symptoms of flu include fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry
cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and muscle aches. Children can
have additional gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and
diarrhea, but these symptoms are uncommon in adults. Although the term
"stomach flu" is sometimes used to describe vomiting, nausea,
or diarrhea, these illnesses are caused by other viruses, bacteria, or
possibly parasites, and are rarely related to influenza. The flu season in
the United States can occur anytime between late December and March. The
most common way that influenza viruses are spread is by one person directly
inhaling the infected respiratory droplets of a sick person's coughs and
sneezes. Though much less frequent, the viruses can also be spread by
touch: when a person touches infected respiratory droplets on another
person or an object and then touches their own mouth or nose (or someone
else's mouth or nose) before washing their hands. Each
flu season is unique, but it is estimated that approximately 10% to 20%
of US residents get the flu, and an average of 114,000 persons are hospitalized
for flu-related complications. About 36,000 Americans on average die per
year from the complications of flu. Content
derived from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, NationalCenter for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases |