MamasHealth.com Home Infectious Information Adenovirus Anthrax Avian Flu Battle the Cold Black Fever Bronchitis Chicken Pox Cholera Colds and Cruises Cold Season Croup Cytomegalovirus Dengue Fever Diphtheria Ear Infection Ebola Epiglottitis Fight the Flu Flu Flu Vaccine Glandular Fever Hepatitis A Hepatitis B Laryngitis Leprosy Lice Lyme Disease Mad Cow Disease Malaria Measles Meningitis Mono Mumps Pink Eye Pinworms Pneumonia Polio Rabies Rheumataic Fever Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever RSV Sarcoidosis SARS Shigella Enteritis Scarlet Fever Smallpox Sore Throat Stomach Flu Strep Throat Super Infections Tetanus Thrush Tonsilitis Tuberculosis Typhoid Fever Valley Fever West Nile Virus Whooping Cough Yellow Fever Links Email Mama Supporting a family on one income Food borne illnesses Parasitic infections Sign up for the MamasHealth Newsletter	What is the Flu? The Flu is a contagious disease that is caused by the influenza virus. It is a viral infection of the respiratory tract that causes fever, headache, muscle aches, and weakness. The flu is different from a cold. The flu usually comes on suddenly. The flu is also called: Asian flu; Asian flu type A; Asian flu type B; Flu; Influenza A; Influenza B. If you have the flu, you should: Rest; Drink plenty of liquids; Avoid using alcohol and tobacco; and Take medication to relieve the symptoms of flu. What are the Symptoms? Symptoms start 1-4 days after the virus enters the body. There are several symptoms for the Flu. The most common symptoms are: fever, cough with or without mucus, nasal discharge, headache, muscle aches and stiffness, shortness of breath, chills, sweating, fatigue, malaise, stuffy nose, sore throat, clammy skin, nosebleed, nausea and vomiting diarrhea, loss of appetite. What Causes the Flu? The flu is caused by a virus. It is transmitted from person to person, usually by inhaling infected droplets from the air. Can the Flu be spread to others? Yes. A person who has the flu can spread the flu starting one day before they begin to feel sick. The amount of time a person can spread the flu depends on whether they are an adult or child. Adults can pass the flu virus to others 3-7 days after their symptoms begin. Children can pass the virus for longer than 7 days. Can the flu be Prevented? Yes. Certain strains of the flu virus can be prevented by Anti-influenza vaccines, also called flu shots.	Featured Book
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