Flu (influenza)
A highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory passages, causing fever and severe aching, often occurring in epidemics.
Dr. Geoffrey Rutledge reviewed this
39 year experience in Internal Medicine
Is a type of:
How long it usually lasts:
How common it is:
Baby 0-2 | Very common | ||||
Preteen 6-13 | Very common | ||||
Teenager 14-18 | Very common | ||||
Young adult 19-40 | Very common | ||||
Middle-aged adult 41-60 | Very common |
How it can usually be treated?
How is it usually diagnosed?
Body locations
Symptoms
Medications
Procedures
Surgery
Other treatments
Tests
Vaccinations
Risk factors
Related questions
A 35-year old male asked:
I am experiencing flu (influenza).
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
A 43-year old asked:
Which of the following diseases would you consider to be endemic- sars, aids, flu, influenza or cancer?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 36-year old asked:
How are swine flu or influenza and normal flu or influenza distinguished from each other?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 34-year old asked:
What are the symptoms of bird flu(avian influenza)?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 21-year old female asked about a female:
1 year girl, got flu after influenza shot. She has cold, fever and nose runs for weeks. Help?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 26-year old female asked:
Upset stomach,nausea,body aches,cough,headache an chills. Stomach flu or influenza?
1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in
A female asked:
Can someone catch influenza flu even if there over fever?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 35-year old asked:
What has been done to control or eliminate the possible spread of the avian influenza (bird flu)?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 48-year old asked:
Why do you have to get vaccinated with the influenza vaccine (flu vaccine) every year?
3 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in
A member asked:
How to avoid the viral infection? The other answers are correct. Are you looking for examples? Some viral infections clear up on their own and the body builds antibodies and rids itself of the virus, as is the case with influenza (the flu), colds, and int
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
A 48-year old asked:
How to determine if I have the normal influenza or the swine flu?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A member asked:
If a person has Influenza A can they contract Covid-19 also or after the seasonal flu has passed?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 25-year old female asked:
I seem to be immune to influenza (but get colds easily). Doctors are baffled. Since I may be immune to flu am I safe from MERS?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
A 46-year old male asked:
I was diagnosed 4 days ago with influenza and given antibiotics for 5 day,but am still feeling very sick. How long does the flu normally take to end?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
A 48-year old asked:
Which vaccination will help me not catch an influenza, cold, or flu?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 41-year old asked:
Can you let me know is influenza or the flu virus an internal or external force?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 38-year old female asked:
I tested positive for influenza A and have been having diarrhea. Is diarrhea a symptom of the flu?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 39-year old female asked about a female:
Granddaughter 4, had Influenza A, twice . Just wondering if that will give any immunity to Influenza B? Also what is the chance she gets the flu again
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 32-year old female asked:
Been sick for 10 days. Been to Dr they say influenza but didn't do swab. Not getting better. Could I die from flu? Had vaccine. Read about death myage
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 46-year old asked:
How can I tell if I have swine flu or just caught another strain of influenza?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 41-year old female asked:
The past 4 days i've had flu symptoms, but very lighted, continous headache urgent care ruled out influenza i feel somewhat dilerious, any ideas?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 37-year old male asked about a female:
My baby is 28 months & had a flu shot 2 weeks ago and today doctor give her Tamyflu medication for her diagnosing she has influenza? Is that okay?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
A male asked:
My baby boy is 6+ month now (is that influenza vaccination good for him at this age so that i can protect him from flu and complication....Is it safe)?
1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in
A 35-year old female asked:
MY 3 year old has been up and down with fevers since Thursday night. I visited a gp yesterday and he said it's influenza. Prescribed Tammi flu 30mg with no need for antibiotoc. Her temperature is sitting at 38degrees. Should she not have an antibioti?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 23-year old asked:
Is the stomach flu the same as seasonal influenza?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
A 17-year old male asked:
I have influenza right now but i've been constipated for over a week. Can i still use a glycerin suppository even though I have the flu?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
A 32-year old male asked:
HI Doctor I m suffering flu and my test report show H1N1 is negative but positive for influenza A. What is influenza A any medicine available?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 18-year old female asked:
I got my previous influenza vaccination done in the month of november 2016 so can i get my new influenza vaccination done in september 2017 as the flu season have started in my country?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 43-year old asked:
Will the influenza virus mix with the avian flu this winter? How soon will the doctors know? September?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 27-year old female asked:
Ok so I have the influenza B virus had flu shot so has my 5 year old so if she did contract it would symptoms be milder?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
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