Flu

A brief digest about this topic

Flu is a respiratory infection caused by a number of viruses. The viruses pass through the air and enter your body through your nose or mouth. Between 5% and 20% of people in the U.S. get the flu each year. The flu can be serious or even deadly for elderly people, newborn babies and people with certain chronic illnesses.

Symptoms of the flu come on suddenly and are worse than those of the common cold. They may include

  • Body or muscle aches
  • Chills
  • Cough
  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Sore throat

Is it a cold or the flu? Colds rarely cause a fever or headaches. Flu almost never causes an upset stomach. And "stomach flu" isn't really flu at all, but gastroenteritis.

The main way to keep from getting the flu is to get a yearly flu vaccine. If you get the flu, your health care provider may prescribe medicine to help your body fight the infection and lessen symptoms.

NIH: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Provided by: NIH - National Institute of Health

Links shared publicly online about this topic

Flu

nlm.nih.gov — “FluView full resource at nlm.nih.gov

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Most Recently Shared on February 27, 2010 at 12:37 am By:

giustini Dean Giustini Health Professional

PubMed Health - clinical effectiveness resource "Influenza" http://t.co/FK9MIcnl #spph581h - how does this http://t.co/9Qq5NJwg differ?

2 years ago...

Is it the Flu?

warts.org — “Is it the Flu?View full resource at warts.org

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Most Recently Shared on June 21, 2010 at 3:28 am By:

Health_SS Susan S Health Advocate

Is that cough, sneeze, and sniffle a sign of a cold? or something more serious, like the flu? Learn more. http://bit.ly/bX2bMI

2 years ago...

To Flu Shot or not to Flu Shot?

health-e-corner-news.com — “The kids are back in school and that means we are heading into the cold and flu season….contrary to popular belief there is NO guarantee, even with a flu shot, that you won't get the fluj….do you get a vaccine or not?View full resource at health-e-corner-news.com

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Most Recently Shared on September 27, 2010 at 3:40 pm By:

Flu Center

kidshealth.org — “Learn all about protecting your family from the flu and what to do if your child gets flu-like symptoms.View full resource at kidshealth.org

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Most Recently Shared on October 7, 2010 at 5:20 pm By:

Influenza (Flu)

kidshealth.org — “The flu is often confused with the common cold, but flu symptoms tend to develop quickly and are usually more severe than the typical sneezing and stuffiness of a cold.View full resource at kidshealth.org

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Most Recently Shared on August 18, 2009 at 5:28 pm By:

Influenza (Flu)

mayoclinic.com — “Influenza — Comprehensive overview covers symptoms, prevention, treatment and self-care of the flu.View full resource at mayoclinic.com

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Most Recently Shared on October 10, 2009 at 4:32 am By:

Flu Center

kidshealth.org — “The flu can make you sick for a week or more. Find out how to get protected from the influenza virus.View full resource at kidshealth.org

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Most Recently Shared on December 30, 2011 at 10:12 pm By:

MDPartner PartnersInPediatrics Physician, Doctor, and Pediatrician

@RVASickCall... Who knew...it'd be the flu...I know you're blue... (OK, it's corny Friday at 5:10pm) Read more --> http://t.co/ADfqa4r8

5 months ago...

Is It A Cold or The Flu?

kidshealth.org — “Your child is sent home from school with a sore throat, cough, and high fever - could it be the flu that's been going around? Or is it just a common cold? Find out here!View full resource at kidshealth.org

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Most Recently Shared on February 27, 2010 at 12:43 am By:

Is It a Cold or the Flu?

kidshealth.org — “Your child is sent home from school with a sore throat, cough, and high fever - could it be the flu that's been going around? Or is it just a common cold? Find out here!View full resource at kidshealth.org

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Most Recently Shared on September 22, 2009 at 12:50 pm By:

KidsHealth KidsHealth Health Site

Is It a Cold or the Flu? | ¿Es un resfriado o una gripe? http://bit.ly/3VtStl

3 years ago...

Flu Information

charmeck.org — “Flu InformationView full resource at charmeck.org

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Most Recently Shared on September 22, 2011 at 3:24 pm By:

seanesthesia SE Anesthesiology Physician Group

RT @meckcounty: The Health Dept. is now offering flu shots by appointment only. To schedule call 704-336-6500. http://t.co/eAwKwQRF #flu

8 months ago...

Colds and Flu

getresponse.com — “Colds and FluView full resource at getresponse.com

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Most Recently Shared on November 7, 2011 at 10:34 am By:

Flu Information

marshfieldclinic.org — “You and the FluView full resource at marshfieldclinic.org

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Most Recently Shared on September 29, 2010 at 7:20 pm By:

Flu Services

everettclinic.com — “Flu ServicesView full resource at everettclinic.com

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Most Recently Shared on September 16, 2009 at 11:00 pm By:

everettclinic The Everett Clinic Physician Group

Flu shots appointments are available for patients 3 years and older. Visit our website for more information on... http://fb.me/FuCJymUy

3 years ago...

102809flu

healthvermont.gov — “102809fluView full resource at healthvermont.gov

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Most Recently Shared on October 30, 2009 at 2:15 am By:

lisagualtieri Lisa Gualtieri Health Social Media

RT @healthvermont: #vt Health Department reports widespread #flu; First death linked to H1N1 reported in Vermont http://bit.ly/1Tj6Ra #h1n1

3 years ago...

Influenza ("flu")

kingcounty.gov — “Influenza ("flu")View full resource at kingcounty.gov

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Most Recently Shared on November 19, 2010 at 5:01 pm By:

UWMedicineNews UW Medicine News Hospital

RT @kcpubhealth: Free flu vaccines on Sat., Nov. 20, Des Moines, Shoreline, 10 am to 1 pm: http://bit.ly/9F0Gbf

2 years ago...

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Featuring the top 3 experts for this topic

  • giustini

    Dean Giustini

    UBC biomedical librarian, renegade, techno-enthusiast

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  • Health_SS

    Susan S

    Mom working in health content publishing field. Enjoy sharing information for healthy living.

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  • captureyrhealth

    Bud & Anita Tarreto

    Naturopathic doctors and cert. nutritional consultants who are also entrepreneurs. We love snow-skiing, movies, and we love helping people! blog www.drbud.org

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