Illness & Conditions - Health Conditions Influenza (Seasonal
Flu) What is influenza (flu)? Influenza (flu) is a viral
infection . People often use the term "flu" to describe any kind
of mild illness, such as a cold or a stomach virus , that has
symptoms like the flu. But the real flu is different. Flu
symptoms are usually worse than a cold and last longer. The flu
usually does not cause vomiting or diarrhea in adults. Most flu
outbreaks happen in late fall and winter. What causes the flu?
The flu is caused by influenza viruses A and B. There are
different strains of the flu virus every year. What are the
symptoms? The flu causes a fever, body aches, a headache, a dry
cough, and a sore or dry throat. You will probably feel tired
and less hungry than usual. The symptoms usually are the worst
for the first 3 or 4 days. But it can take 1 to 2 weeks to get
completely better. It usually takes 1 to 4 days to get symptoms
of the flu after you have been around someone who has the virus.
Most people get better without