• Healthy State
  • Careers
  • Education
  • Research
  • Giving
Ochsner Health Ochsner Health
  • About
  • Find A Doctor (current)
  • Find A Location
  • Specialties & Treatments
MyOchsner Logo
Login | Signup
Submit Search magnifying glass icon
Close Search X icon
  •   Home
  • In To Your Health...
  • Food & Fitness
  • Conditions & Treatment
  • Health Trends
  • Prevention & Wellness
  • Women's Health
  • Men's Health
  • Mental Health
  • Parenting
  • I need to...
  • Find A Doctor
  • Find A Location
  • Find A Specialty
  • Schedule An Appointment
  • Pay A Bill
  • Explore
  • About Ochsner
  • Careers
  • Patients & Visitors
  • "To Your Health" Blog
  • Health Resources
  • Medical Professionals
  • Education
  • Philanthropy
  • Community Outreach
  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • Research
  • Ochsner Health Network
  • Schedule an Appointment
  • Call: 1-866-624-7637
  • Online: Login to MyOchsner
  • Personalize your content
  • patient Edit Persona Persona Chooser
To Your Health

View Newsletter Editions
  • Food & Fitness
  • Conditions & Treatment
  • Health Trends
  • Prevention & Wellness
  • Women's Health
  • Men's Health
  • Mental Health
  • Parenting
103583279 Woman With Flu In Bed

What is Flu?

Sep 15, 2021 |
By Kenneth Aguirre, MD
Share Facebook Logo Twitter Logo Pinterest Logo Email Logo

The flu is so commonplace, but how many of us actually know what it is? Simply put, flu is a respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness that infects the nose, throat and occasionally, the lungs. In extreme cases, flu can lead to death. The best way to prevent catching this contagious illness is to get an annual flu vaccine. The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices encourages people over the age of 6 months old to get vaccinated.

How do you distinguish a flu from a cold?

Flu usually comes on suddenly. Symptoms typically occur one to four days after a person is exposed and infected. Even healthy people can be infected, but there are people at higher risk:

People 65 years and older and children younger than 5 years

Pregnant women

People with chronic medical conditions, such as asthma, diabetes and heart disease

If you smoke, the flu is yet another reason why you should quit. A study from the U.S. National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health found that “influenza‐associated hazard ratio was greater in current and ex‐smokers than in never smokers for mortality of all-natural causes, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.” The study also concluded that smoking may increase the risk of death in older people with influenza.

Flu viruses are spread via tiny droplets when infected people cough, sneeze or talk. The droplets can land in the mouth of nose of people in close proximity. Touching a surface that has been contaminated and then touching your mouth, nose or even your eyes is another way you can contract flu, although this happens less often.

Initially, the flu can present as the common cold. In addition to cold like symptoms you may feel some of the following symptoms: cough, sore throat, muscle/body aches, fatigue, runny/stuff nose, feeling feverish and chills. Vomiting and diarrhea are also symptoms but are more common in children than adults. Complications from flu can include ear and/or sinus infections, viral pneumonia, secondary bacterial pneumonia and worsening of chronic medical conditions.

In addition to getting vaccinated, the CDC recommends preventing the flu with frequent hand washing, staying away from people who are sick and covering coughs and sneezes. Strengthening your immune system by getting enough sleep, getting moderate exercise and eating a healthy, nutrient-rich diet also helps.

Much like COVID-19 protocols, sanitizing surfaces in your home is good practice if you or someone you live with comes down with flu. Disinfecting doorknobs, phones, light switches and other high-touch surfaces will reduce the risk of contracting the flu. Maintaining a safe distance and wearing a surgical mask and gloves if caring for a sick individual is also a smart choice.

If you have the flu, you are most contagious three to four days after your illness begins. You may be able to spread flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick. Some otherwise healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to five to seven days after becoming sick. Certain people, like young children and people with weakened immune systems, might be able to infect others for an even longer time.

Learn more about flu season and getting the flu shot

Tags
flu
influenza

You may also be interested in:

How long does flu last
Health Trends
September 10, 2020

How Long Does the Flu Last?

On average, flu symptoms manifest within one to four days after exposure to the virus and continue for about five to seven days after.
By Nicole Giambrone, MD
Flu shots for children 2
Conditions & Treatment
September 13, 2021

Flu Shots and Kids

Getting the flu vaccine is the best way to protect your child from the flu.
By Amber Medine, MD
Teen vaccine
Prevention & Wellness
October 1, 2021

Can You Get the Flu From a Flu Shot?

There's a belief that getting the flu vaccine can actually give you the flu and many people use it as a reason to avoid the shot.
By Christie H. Theriot, MD

email envelop icon Comments about the blog? Send us an email!

Ochsner Health

Schedule An Appointment: 1-866-624-7637

Follow us: Facebook Follow Ochsner Health on TikTok Twitter Follow Ochsner Health on Twitter LinkedIn Visit Ochsner Health's LinkedIn page Instagram Follow Ochsner Health on Instagram YouTube Subscribe to Ochsner Health on YouTube Pinterest Follow Ochsner Health on Pinterest TikTok Follow Ochsner Health on TikTok

Healthy living tips, delivered weekly to your inbox.

Sign Up

Patients & Visitors

  • Billing & Financial Services
  • Insurance Information
  • International Patients
  • Request Medical Records
  • Share Your Story
  • Read Patient Stories

Medical Professionals

  • Transfer a Patient
  • Refer a Patient

Health Resources

  • To Your Health Blog
  • Golden Opportunity
  • Healthy State
  • Ochsner Magazine

Job Seekers

  • Career Paths
  • Benefits
  • Open Positions

Employees

  • Webmail
  • OHSLink
  • Workday

Employers

  • Corporate Wellness
  • Medicare Advantage Plans

Community Outreach

  • Classes & Events
  • Programs
  • Community Health Needs Assessment
  • Dr. John Ochsner Discovery Health Sciences Academy

Education

  • Graduate Medical Education
  • Clinical Medical Education
  • Continuing Medical Education
  • Medical Library
  • Publishing Services
  • Medical Illustrations

Research

  • Clinical Trials
  • Applied Health Services Research
  • Clinical Research & Trials
  • Nursing Research
  • Translational Research

Giving

  • Donate
  • Volunteer

About Ochsner

  • Mission & Vision
  • History
  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • Annual Report
  • Outcomes & Honors
  • News & Media
  • Alumni
  • Ochsner Health Network
  • Contact Us

Shop

  • O Bar
  • Optical Shop
  • Ochsner Fitness Center
  • Brent House Hotel

© Ochsner Health  | Notice of Privacy Practices | Terms of Use | Vendor Information

Ochsner accepts all major insurances.

Ochsner is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, founded on providing the best patient care, research, and education.

We are one of the country’s largest non-university based academic medical centers.

Ochsner is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Community Needs Health Assessment

EpicMobile Tablet | EpicMobile Phone

newsletter icon

Subscribe to Our Newsletters

newsletter icon

Select the newsletters you'd like to receive.

Please select at least one category to continue.

Curious about our newsletters?

View details for each edition
newsletter icon

Let us know where to send your newsletters.

To Your Health- Food and Fitness:
To Your Health- General:
To Your Health- Men’s Health:
To Your Health- Parenting:
To Your Health- Women’s Health:
To Your Health-Mental Health Monthly":
To Your Health- Skin Deep:

Source:
Source Description:
Marketing Goal:
newsletter icon

You're all set!

We’ll send newsletters full of healthy living tips right to your inbox.

Ochsner Health System
magnifying glass icon
ESC to Close

Begin Typing to Search

Select the drop-down to filter Search by Blog Articles or Sitewide