Flu, Also Called Influenza, is an infection of the nose, throat and lungs, part of the respiratory system. A virus causes the flu. Influenza commonly called the flu, but its different from the stomach “flu” viruses that cause diarrhea and vomiting. Most people with the flu get better on their own. But sometimes, influenza and its complications can be deadly.

Some group of people are at a higher than average rick of having flu complications, including;

• Young children, specially those aged 12 months or younger.
• People who plan to be pregnant, are pregnant, or recently grave birth during flu season.
• Adult older than age 65.
• People who live or work in facilities with money other residents. Example are those in nursing homes, military barracks, and people in the hospital.

In the  united state, some groups have a higher risk of needing hospital treatment for flu. Those groups including people who are American, indian or Alaska native., black or latino.

Although the annual influenza vaccine isn’t 100% affective. It lower than chances of having severe complications from the flu. This is especially true for people at high risk for flu complication.

Stmtoms

At frist, the flu may seem like a cold with a runny nose, sensing , and sore troat. Cold usually start slowly. But the flu tend to come and quickly. And while a cold can be miserable,  you usually feel  much worse  with the flu. Common symptoms of the flu often but not always include fever as well as aching muscles, chills, and sweats.

• Headache
• Dry , persistent cough
• Shortness of breath
• Tiredness and weakness
• Runny of stuffy nose
• Sore throat
• Eye pain

Vomiting and diarrhea also are flu symptoms. But they are more common in children than in adult. When to see a doctor. Most people who get the flu can treat themselves at home  and often don’t need to see a healthcare professional. If you have flu symptoms and are at risk of complications, see your healthcare professional immediately. Thinking antiviral medicine to treat the flu may shorten the length of your lines and help prevent and more severe problems. If you have emergency flu symptoms, get medical care immediately.

For adult , emergency symptoms can include :

• Chest pain
• Ongoing dizziness
• Seizures
• Worsening of existing medical condition
• Sever weakness or muscle pain

Emergency symptoms in children include all the symptoms seen in adults, ass well as:

• Gray or blue or nail beds.
• Dehydration

Cause

Virus cause influenza. Those viruses travel through the air in droplets when someone with the infection coughs,  sneezes, or talks. You can inhale the droplets directly. Or you can pick up the germs from touching an object, such as a computer keyboard, and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.

People with the virus are likely contagious from about a day before symptoms appear until about 5 to 7 days after they start. Children and people with weakened immune system may be slightly more contagious. Influenza viruses are constantly changing , with new strains appearing often . if you had influenza in the past,   your body has already made antibodies to fight that specific strain of the virus. If future influenza viruses are like those you’ve come across before, either by having the disease or by getting vaccinated, those antibodies may prevent infection or lessen its severity.

However, antibody levels may decline over time. Antibodies against past influenza viruses may not protect you from new influenza strains. New strains can be very different from what you had before.

Risk factors

Factors that may raise your risk of getting the flu or its complications include:

• Age. Seasonal influenza tends to have worse outcomes in young children, especially those age 12 months and more youthful. Adults older than age 65 also tend to have worse outcomes.

• Living or working conditions. People who live or work in facilities with many other residents, such as nursing homes, are more likely to get the flu. People who are staying in the hospital also are at higher risk.

• Weakened immune system. Cancer treatments, anti-rejection medicines, long-term use of steroids, organ transplants, blood cancer, or HIV/AIDS can weaken the immune system. This can make it easier to catch the flu virus and may increase the risk of developing complications.

• Chronic illnesses. Chronic conditions may increase the risk of influenza complications. Examples include asthma and other lung diseases, diabetes, heart disease, nervous system diseases, previous history of stroke, metabolic disorders, problems with the airway, and kidney, liver, or blood disease.

• Race or ethnicity. In the United States, people who are American Indian or Alaska Native, Black, or Latino may have a higher risk of influenza complications.

• Aspirin use under age 20. People younger than 20 years of age and receiving long-term aspirin therapy are at risk of developing Reye’s syndrome if infected with the influenza virus.

• Pregnancy. Pregnant people are more likely to develop influenza complications, particularly in the second and third trimesters. This risk continues up to two weeks after the baby is born.

• Obesity. People with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher have an increased risk of flu complications.

Complications

If you’re young and healthy, the flu usually isn’t serious. Although you may feel awful while you have it, the flu usually goes away in a week or two with no lasting effects. But children and adults at high risk may develop complications that may include:

• Pneumonia.
• Bronchitis.
• Asthma flare-ups.
• Heart problems.
• Ear infections.
• Acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Pneumonia is one of the most serious complications. For older adults and people with chronic illnesses, pneumonia can be deadly.

Prevention

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends annual flu vaccination for everyone age six months or older. The flu vaccine can lower your risk of getting the flu. The flu vaccine reduces your risk of having severe illness from the flu and needing to stay in the hospital due to flu. The flu vaccine also lowers your risk of dying of flu.

Flu vaccination is essential because the flu and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cause similar symptoms. Both COVID-19 and the flu may be spreading at the same time. Vaccination is the best way to protect against both. And if a COVID-19 vaccine or booster and a flu vaccination are due simultaneously, you can often get vaccinated for both in one visit.

This year’s seasonal flu vaccines each protect against the four influenza viruses expected to be the most common during this flu season. This year, the vaccine will be available as an injection and a nasal spray. High-dose flu vaccines will also be offered for adults aged 65 and older.

The nasal spray is approved for people between the ages of 2 and 49.

 It isn’t recommended for some groups, such as:

• People who had a severe allergic reaction to a flu vaccine.

• Pregnant people.

• Children aged 17 years or younger taking aspirin or a salicylate-containing medicine.

• People with weakened immune systems and caregivers or close contacts of people with weakened immune systems.

• Children between ages 2 and 4 years old diagnosed with asthma or wheezing in the past 12 months.

• People who recently took antiviral medicine for the flu.

• People with a cerebrospinal fluid leak or the potential for a leak, as with a cochlear implant.

You can still get a flu vaccine if you have an