influenza throughout their lifetime. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), even otherwise healthy people get sick enough to require hospitalization from influenza each year.
Influenza
The flu is an infection of the respiratory tract that is caused by the influenza virus. It is spread mainly through airborne transmission, when an infected person sneezes, coughs or speaks. A person can infect others one day before having flu symptoms and up to five days after becoming ill.
Flu Symptoms
Influenza is most often associated with the sudden onset of fever, headache, fatigue, muscle aches, congestion, cough and sore throat. Most people recover within a few days to less than two weeks. Occasionally, complications such as pneumonia, bronchitis or other infections can occur.
Prevention
The flu vaccine is your best chance of preventing the illness. Currently, the CDC recommends that anyone over 6 months of age receive an annual flu vaccine. In addition, those at high risk for flu complications (young children, pregnant women, people with certain chronic conditions and those 65 years or older) are highly recommended to get the vaccine each year. Read Full Article
