You are on page 1of 5

Definition

By Mayo Clinic Staff

Influenza is a viral infection that attacks your respiratory system your nose, throat and lungs.
Influenza, commonly called the flu, is not the same as the stomach "flu" viruses that cause diarrhea
and vomiting.

Influenza and its complications can be deadly. People at higher risk of developing flu complications
include:

Young children
Adults older than 65
Pregnant women
People with weakened immune systems
People who have chronic illnesses
Your best defense against influenza is to receive an annual vaccination.

Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic Staff

Initially, the flu may seem like a common cold with a runny nose, sneezing and sore throat. But colds
usually develop slowly, whereas the flu tends to come on suddenly. And although a cold can be a
nuisance, you usually feel much worse with the flu.

Common signs and symptoms of the flu include:

Fever over 100 F (38 C)


Aching muscles, especially in your back, arms and legs
Chills and sweats
Headache
Dry cough
Fatigue and weakness
Nasal congestion
What is influenza (also called flu)?The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza
viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death.
The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccine each year.

Signs and symptoms of flu


People who have the flu often feel some or all of these signs and symptoms:

Fever* or feeling feverish/chills


Cough
Sore throat
Runny or stuffy nose
Muscle or body aches
Headaches
Fatigue (very tired)
Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.

*Its important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.

How flu spreads


Most experts believe that flu viruses spread mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk.
These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby. Less often, a person might also get flu by
touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth, eyes or possibly their nose.
Top of Page

Period of contagiousness
You may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.
Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 to 7
days after becoming sick. Some people, especially young children and people with weakened immune systems,
might be able to infect others for an even longer time.

How serious is the flu?


Flu is unpredictable and how severe it is can vary widely from one season to the next depending on many things,
including:

what flu viruses are spreading,


how much flu vaccine is available
when vaccine is available
how many people get vaccinated, and
how well the flu vaccine is matched to flu viruses that are causing illness.

Certain people are at greater risk for serious complications if they get the flu. This includes older people, young
children, pregnant women and people withcertain health conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease).

Flu seasons are unpredictable and can be severe. Over a period of 30 years, between 1976 and 2006, estimates of
flu-associated deaths in the United States range from a low of about 3,000 to a high of about 49,000 people.
Influenza (Seasonal)
Fact sheet N211 March 2014

Key facts
Seasonal influenza is an acute viral infection that spreads easily from person to person.
Seasonal influenza viruses circulate worldwide and can affect anybody in any age group.
Seasonal influenza viruses cause annual epidemics that peak during winter in temperate regions.
Seasonal influenza is a serious public health problem that causes severe illness and death in high risk populations.
An influenza epidemic can take an economic toll through lost workforce productivity and strain health services.
Influenza vaccination is the most effective way to prevent infection.
Antiviral drugs are available for treatment, however influenza viruses can develop resistance to the drugs.

Overview
Seasonal influenza is an acute viral infection caused by an influenza virus.
There are 3 types of seasonal influenza viruses A, B and C. Type A influenza viruses are further classified into subtypes
according to the combinations of various virus surface proteins. Among many subtypes of influenza A viruses, influenza A(H1N1)
and A(H3N2) subtypes are currently circulating among humans.
Influenza viruses circulate in all parts of the world. Type C influenza cases occur much less frequently than A and B. That is why
only influenza A and B viruses are included in seasonal influenza vaccines.
Signs and symptoms
Seasonal influenza is characterized by a sudden onset of high fever, cough (usually dry), headache, muscle and joint pain, severe
malaise (feeling unwell), sore throat and runny nose. Cough can be severe and can last 2 or more weeks. Most people recover from
fever and other symptoms within a week without requiring medical attention. But influenza can cause severe illness or death
especially in people at high risk (see below). The time from infection to illness, known as the incubation period, is about 2 days.
Who is at risk?
Yearly influenza epidemics can seriously affect all populations, but the highest risk of complications occur among children
younger than age 2 years, adults aged 65 years or older, pregnant women, and people of any age with certain medical conditions,
such as chronic heart, lung, kidney, liver, blood or metabolic diseases (such as diabetes), or weakened immune systems.
Transmission
Seasonal influenza spreads easily and can sweep through schools, nursing homes, businesses or towns. When an infected person
coughs, infected droplets get into the air and another person can breathe them in and be exposed. The virus can also be spread by
hands contaminated with influenza viruses. To prevent transmission, people should cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when
coughing, and wash their hands regularly.
Seasonal epidemics and disease burden
In temperate climates, seasonal epidemics occur mainly during winter while in tropical regions, influenza may occur throughout
the year, causing outbreaks more irregularly.
Influenza occurs globally with an annual attack rate estimated at 5%10% in adults and 20%30% in children. Illnesses can result
in hospitalization and death mainly among high-risk groups (the very young, elderly or chronically ill). Worldwide, these annual
epidemics are estimated to result in about 3 to 5 million cases of severe illness, and about 250 000 to 500 000 deaths.
In industrialized countries most deaths associated with influenza occur among people age 65 or older. Epidemics can result in high
levels of worker/school absenteeism and productivity losses. Clinics and hospitals can be overwhelmed during peak illness
periods.
The precise effects of seasonal influenza epidemics in developing countries are not known, but research estimates indicate that a
large percent of child deaths associated with influenza occur in developing countries every year.

You might also like