Why do people get sick during the flu season?

One reason is that some people can become ill from other respiratory viruses besides flu such as rhinoviruses, which are associated with the common cold, cause symptoms similar to flu, and also spread and cause illness during the flu season. The flu vaccine only protects against influenza, not other illnesses.

Who is most likely to get the flu?

The 3% to 11% range is an estimate of the proportion of people who have symptomatic flu illness. Who is most likely to be infected with influenza? found that children are most likely to get sick from flu and that people 65 and older are least likely to get sick from influenza.

What happens to your body when you get the flu?

Influenza can wreck havoc on the body. The upper respiratory illness can cause people to experience a fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue and sometimes diarrhea and vomiting, according to the CDC.

How does the flu spread from person to person?

However, flu is spread largely by droplet (aerosol) infection from individuals with a high viral level in their nasal and throat secretions, sneezing and coughing on anyone close at hand.

What are initially causes the flu?

Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent flu is by getting a flu vaccine each year. Influenza (flu) can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death.

What are the dangers of influenza?

Influenza can be dangerous, even deadly. Find out who should be extra cautious, plus serious signs you shouldn’t ignore. Influenza, aka the flu, can cause painful headaches, body aches and lack of energy, but for some, the virus can be more dangerous, even life-threatening.

How deadly is influenza?

The influenza virus is a microscopic pathogen – around a thousandth the width of a human hair in size – that packs an outsized deadly punch. It is responsible for up to 500,000 deaths each year, according to World Health Organisation estimates.

What is the virus that causes the flu?

Influenza C virus is the species in the genus Influenzavirus C, in the virus family Orthomyxoviridae, which like other influenza viruses, causes influenza.