Influenza
Flu
Influenza is also called the flu. It's an infection that affects your respiratory tract. This includes your nose, throat, windpipe, and lungs.
The flu is contagious. This means it spreads easily from person to person. It causes symptoms that are like a cold. It can also cause a high fever and body aches.
Causes
The flu is caused by the influenza virus. You can get it by:
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Breathing in droplets that are in the air after an infected person coughs or sneezes.
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Touching something that has the virus on it and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.
What are the symptoms?
Flu symptoms often start all of a sudden. They may last 4-14 days and include:
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Fever and chills.
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Headaches, body aches, or muscle aches.
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Sore throat.
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Cough.
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Runny or stuffy nose.
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Discomfort in your chest.
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Not wanting to eat as much as normal.
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Feeling weak or tired.
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Feeling dizzy.
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Nausea or vomiting.
What increases the risk?
You may be more likely to get the flu if:
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You don't wash your hands often.
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You're near a lot of people during cold and flu season.
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You touch your mouth, eyes, or nose without washing your hands first.
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You don't get a flu shot each year.
You may also be more at risk for the flu and serious problems, such as a lung infection called pneumonia, if:
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You're older than 65.
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You're pregnant.
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Your immune system is weak. Your immune system is your body's defense system.
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You have a long-term, or chronic, condition, such as:
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Heart, kidney, or lung disease.
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Diabetes.
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A liver disorder.
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Asthma.
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You're very overweight.
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You have anemia. This is when you don't have enough red blood cells in your body.