Flu (Influenza) Facts

Influenza is an acute viral infection of the respiratory tract, caused by three types of influenza viruses: A, B, and C. For most healthy individuals, the flu is an unpleasant but usually self-limiting illness, with recovery occurring within a week. However, it can lead to more serious complications, especially in vulnerable groups like young children, the elderly, the pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems.

The disease is marked by the sudden onset of fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and extreme fatigue. Other common symptoms include a dry cough, sore throat, and a stuffy nose.

The flu can be transferred  through droplets, aerosols, or direct contact with the respiratory secretions of an infected person and it spreads quickly, particularly in closed environments like nursing homes, residential facilities, and schools.

The flu vaccine aims to protect you against the most common types of flu viruses. There’s still a chance you might get flu after getting vaccinated, but it’s likely to be milder and not last as long.

The vaccine usually takes up to 14 days to work. Protection from the flu vaccine goes down with time and the types of flu virus the vaccine protects against are updated each year. This is why it’s important to get the flu vaccine every year.