So You Think You Know All About The Flu?

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                                   What is influenza, aka the flu?
Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. It can range from mild to severe. When ill with the flu, people often feel some (or even all) of these flu symptoms:
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The first few days of flu (Influenza)
While flu shares many of the symptoms of the common cold, the early signs of flu are often a sudden fever, aches or pains, weakness or a loss of appetite. In particular, having a cough and a fever together can be a good indication that you have flu.

How Long Does It Take To Get Over The Flu?
In general, healthy people usually get over a cold in 7 to 10 days. Flu symptoms, including fever, should go away after about 5 days, but you may still have a cough and feel weak a few days longer. All your symptoms should be gone within 1 to 2 weeks.

Is Influenza Dangerous?
Influenza, aka the flu, can cause painful headaches, body aches and lack of energy, but for some, the virus can be more dangerous, even life-threatening. The flu and related complications claimed an estimated 80,000 lives during the 2017-2018 season, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

How Do I Know I Have The Flu?
Flu symptoms are usually more severe than cold symptoms and come on quickly. Symptoms of fluinclude sore throat, fever, headache, muscle aches and soreness, congestion, and cough.

How Did I Get The Flu?
The flu is contagious—that means it spreads from person to person, often through the air. ... You can catch the flu when someone near you coughs or sneezes. Or, if you touch something the virus is on, like Ellen and Jack's phone or doorknob, and then touch your nose or mouth, you could catch the flu.

How Long Does The Flu Last?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , an uncomplicated influenza infection will last from three to seven days in most people, including children. However, a cough and feelings of weakness or fatigue can last for two weeks or longer.

What Are The Stages Of The Flu?
As the illness progresses, a person may have warm, flushed skin, watery or bloodshot eyes, a severe cough that produces phlegm, and nasal congestion. Nausea and vomiting may also occur, especially among children. A bout of the flu typically lasts one to two weeks, with severe symptoms subsiding in two to three days.​

What Do I Eat When I Have The Flu?
Broth. Whether you prefer chicken, beef, or vegetable, broth is one of the best things you can eat when you have the flu. ...
Chicken soup
Garlic
Yogurt
Vitamin C–containing fruits
Leafy greens
Broccoli
Oatmeal
Can I Get The Flu Twice?
Experts say it is possible to catch the flu twice in one season. ... But a smaller portion of people (around 10 to 15 percent) are getting the H1N1 strain or the influenza B virus, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (H3N2 and H1N1 are both strains of influenza A.)

Can I Get The Flu From A Flu Shot?
The viruses in the flu shot are killed, so people cannot get the flu from a flu vaccine. However, because it takes about two weeks for people to build up immunity after they get the flu vaccine, some people may catch the flu shortly after they're vaccinated, if they are exposed to the flu during this time period.​

How Long Is The Virus Contagious?
For colds, most individuals become contagious about a day before cold symptoms develop and remain contagious for about five to seven days. Some children may pass the flu viruses for longer than seven days (occasionally for two weeks). Colds are considered upper respiratory infections.

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