ABOUT THE FLU

ABOUT THE FLU

Help protect yourself and your family from the flu by knowing more about the flu:

The flu is a contagious virus that is spread from one person to another through tiny droplets that are released into the air when a person infected with the flu coughs or sneezes. Sometimes, people can become infected by touching their nose or mouth after touching something infected by the flu virus.
Most healthy adults can infect others one day before they begin experiencing symptoms and up to five days after they become sick. That means you can pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.
A typical case of the flu can last up to one week.
The flu can be a serious illness, particularly for mature populations aged 50 and older, and those with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, and asthma.
Flu season can begin as early as October and last as late as May.

FLU SYMPTONS

The flu is characterized by a collection of symptoms that can often occur suddenly, including:

Fever (higher than 100° F)
A fever occurs when your body temperature increases in response to illness or injury. Your temperature is considered elevated when it is higher than 100°F.
Chills
Body chills that are not related to a cold environment can be a sign of the flu.
Headache
A headache associated with the flu may appear suddenly, and be related to body aches or nasal congestion you're experiencing.
Extreme tiredness
It's normal to feel tired at the end of a long day or when you don't get adequate sleep, but unexplained tiredness can be a sign of the flu.
Dry cough
Know your cough. A productive cough (coughing up mucus) is common with a cold, while a non-productive or dry cough (with no mucus) is associated with the flu.
Sore throat
Swelling in the throat can lead to a sore throat.
Runny nose
Runny nose may also occur but is more common in children than adults.
Muscle aches
While it is normal to feel body aches from physical overexertion, body aches that are sudden and unexplained can be a sign of the flu.
Stomach symptoms
Stomach symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are more common in children than in adults
Chest discomfort
Chest discomfort is often severe with the flu.

Symptom	Cold	Flu
Fever	Fever is rare with a cold.	Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 100°F or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the flu.
Coughing	A hacking, productive (mucus- producing) cough is often present with a cold.	A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the flu (sometimes referred to as dry cough).
Aches	Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold.	Severe aches and pains are common with the flu.
Stuffy Nose	Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week.	Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the flu.
Chills	Chills are uncommon with a cold.	60% of people who have the flu experience chills.
Tiredness	Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold.	Tiredness is moderate to severe with the flu.
Sneezing	Sneezing is commonly present with a cold.	Sneezing is not common with the flu.
Sudden Symptoms	Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days.	The flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains.
Headache	A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold.	A headache is very common with the flu, present in 80% of flu cases.
Sore Throat	Sore throat is commonly present with a cold.	Sore throat is not commonly present with the flu.
Chest Discomfort	Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold.	Chest discomfort is often severe with the flu.

MORE FLU INFORMATION:

Centers for disease control and prevention (CDC)