The Flu (Influenza)
The Flu (Influenza) The flu is a contagious (catching) disease caused by a virus. It attacks the nose, throat, and lungs. Supplements Reviews The flu is different from a cold and usually comes on with no warning signs. What are the symptoms of the flu? • fever •cough •sore throat • runny or stuffy nose • headache and muscle ache • extreme tiredness How can I catch the flu? • The flu is passed from person to person by coughing and sneezing. What can I do to prevent it? • Get a flu vaccine! Can the vaccine cause the flu? There are two types of flu vaccines that a person can get. One is a dead virus and it does not cause the flu. The other is a live virus that has been made weak so that any flu symptoms are also made weaker. How well does the flu shot work? • The shot prevents the flu in 70% to 90% of young, healthy adults. • The shot doesn't do as well at preventing flu in the elderly and people with certain medical problems. But the shot does reduce the number of elderly who die...