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Flu

What is the flu?

The flu, also called influenza, is a respiratory infection caused by viruses. Each year, millions of Americans get sick with the flu. Sometimes it causes mild illness. But it can also be serious or even deadly, especially for people over 65, newborn babies, and people with certain chronic illnesses.

What causes the flu?

The flu is caused by flu viruses that spread from person to person. When someone with the flu coughs, sneezes, or talks, they spray tiny droplets. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby. Less often, a person may get flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes.

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Results 1 - 10 of 2,499 for flu
  1. Flu (National Library of Medicine)  
    What is the flu? The flu, also called influenza, is a respiratory infection caused by viruses. Each year, millions of Americans get sick with the flu. Sometimes ...
  2. H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) (National Library of Medicine)  
    Swine flu is an infection caused by a virus. It's named for a virus that pigs can get. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. In ...
  3. Bird Flu (National Library of Medicine)  
    What is bird flu? Birds, just like people, can get the flu. Another name for bird flu is avian influenza. The viruses that cause bird flu normally only infect birds, including chickens, other poultry, ...
  4. Flu Shot (National Library of Medicine)  
    What is the flu? The flu (influenza) is a respiratory infection. It is caused by influenza viruses that infect your nose, throat, and lungs. These viruses can ...
  5. Gastroenteritis (National Library of Medicine)  
    ... rotaviruses. Some people call viral gastroenteritis the "stomach flu." But this name is not medically correct. It is not caused by flu viruses. The flu is a respiratory infection that ...
  6. Flu (Influenza) Test What is a Flu (Influenza) Test? Flu is short for influenza, a respiratory infection caused by a virus . A flu test helps your health care provider ...
  7. Flu 
    The flu (influenza) is a viral respiratory illness that causes fever, chills, runny nose, body aches, and cough. It spreads easily from person to person. The flu can cause moderate to severe symptoms. Most people ...
  8. The flu is an easily-spread disease. Children under age 2 have a higher risk of developing complications if they get the flu. The information in this article has been put ...
  9. ... Nasal congestion Runny nose Sneezing Sore throat The flu is an infection of the nose, throat, and lungs caused by the influenza virus. Many flu symptoms are similar to those of a common ...
  10. ... Nasal congestion Sneezing Sore throat Cough Headache The flu is an infection of the nose, throat, and ... of your child with a cold or the flu .
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