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

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...

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:

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

2 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

2 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

1 year ago...

Influenza (Flu)

cdph.ca.gov — “Influenza (Flu)View full resource at cdph.ca.gov

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Most Recently Shared on April 28, 2009 at 1:54 am By:

What is the flu?

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

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Most Recently Shared on October 6, 2010 at 1:00 pm By:

mfldclinic Marshfield Clinic Healthcare System

What Is the Flu? Influenza (the flu) is a broad term for several types of contagious upper respiratory infections... http://fb.me/JLF2x4V4

1 year ago...

Family Webicine: Bird Flu? Swine Flu? Mexican Flu?

blogs.webmd.com — “Stories from behind the examining room door, as told by Rod Moser, PA, a primary care physician assistant with more than 35 years of clinical experience.View full resource at blogs.webmd.com

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Most Recently Shared on April 29, 2009 at 6:58 am By:

WebMD_Blogs WebMD_Blogs Health Site

New Rod Moser Post: Bird Flu? Swine Flu? Mexican Flu?: Last year, it was the bird flu panic. .. http://tinyurl.com/ddl6jj

3 years ago...

Redirect: CDC - Influenza (Flu) | Swine Influenza (Flu)

cdc.gov — “Redirect: CDC - Influenza (Flu) | Swine Influenza (Flu)View full resource at cdc.gov

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Most Recently Shared on April 24, 2009 at 9:41 pm By:

wheezemd Michael Blaiss, MD Doctor, Allergist, and Physician

Could this be the start of the flu pandemic? CDC - Influenza (Flu) | Swine Influenza (Flu) http://is.gd/ulHh

3 years ago...

Where's the Flu? Get Ready

webmd.com — “Official CDC flu data shows low flu activity throughout the U.S., but Google Flu Trends suggests high flu activity in Kentucky, Nevada, and several U.S. cities. Google's unofficial data is about 2 weeks ahead of CDC.View full resource at webmd.com

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Most Recently Shared on December 29, 2011 at 7:41 pm By:

Cold, Flu, and Sinus Prevention

health.com — “Cold, Flu, and Sinus PreventionView full resource at health.com

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Most Recently Shared on February 12, 2010 at 8:24 pm By:

What To Do For The "Stomach Flu"

medicalnewstoday.com — “A post-holiday crush of patients are crowding into area physician offices and hospital emergency rooms as individuals of all ages suddenly find themselves laid low by a highly contagious and quickView full resource at medicalnewstoday.com

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Most Recently Shared on January 8, 2011 at 2:05 pm By:

Is Europe Prepared For 'Flu?

medicalnewstoday.com — “The results of a three-year research project into pandemic flu preparedness in Europe will be launched at a meeting in Brussels in September.The results of the PHLawFlu (Public Health LawView full resource at medicalnewstoday.com

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Most Recently Shared on September 4, 2010 at 1:00 pm By:

The Top 3 resources shared on this topic. More resources.

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Featuring the top 3 experts for this topic

  • Health_SS

    Susan S

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

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  • KidsHealthBaby

    KidsHealth.org

    Every year, more than 150 million families turn to KidsHealth.org, the most-visited site on the Web devoted to children's health and development.

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  • PhysicianAssist

    Physician Assistants

    - Physician Assistants (P.A.) are licensed health professionals who practice medicine with the supervision of a physician

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