Top Ten List about Influenza

10) Influenza, more commonly known as the flu, is a contagious disease that attacks the nose, throat and lungs.

9) The flu usually comes on suddenly and may include symptoms such as fever, headache, tiredness, sore throat, nasal congestion, and body aches.

8) The flu is spread when a person who has the flu coughs, sneezes, or speaks and sends flu virus into the air, and other people inhale the virus. The virus enters the nose, throat, or lungs of a person and begins to multiply, causing symptoms of influenza.

7) A person can spread the flu starting one day before he or she feels sick. Adults can continue to pass the flu virus to others for another three to seven days after symptoms start.

6) Most people who get influenza will recover in one to two weeks, but some people will develop life-threatening complications (such as pneumonia) as a result of the flu.

5) Many people use the term "stomach flu” to describe illnesses with nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; While these symptoms can sometimes be related to the flu they are rarely the main symptoms of influenza. The flu is a respiratory disease and not a stomach or intestinal disease.

4) A virus causes influenza, so antibiotics (like penicillin) don’t work to cure it. The best way to prevent the flu is to get an influenza vaccine (flu shot) each fall, before flu season.

3) Family Medicine at UIC offers the flu vaccine for $15. MegaLife does not cover the flu vaccination. Call Family Medicine at (312) 996-2901 to schedule an appointment.

2) Anyone who wants to lower his or her chances of getting the flu can get a flu shot. You need a flu shot every year because after you get a flu shot, your immunity to the flu declines over time and may be too low to provide protection after one year.

1) If you do have the flu it is important to take care of yourself. Rest more than usual, drink plenty of liquids, and avoid using alcohol and tobacco to ensure a speedy recovery.