Specific Disease Frequently Asked Questions | Influenza
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What are the symptoms of the
flu?
Influenza is a respiratory illness. Symptoms of flu include fever, headache,
extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and muscle
aches. Children can have additional gastro-intestinal symptoms, such as
nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, but these symptoms are uncommon in adults.
Although the term "stomach flu" is sometimes used to describe
vomiting, nausea, or diarrhea, these illnesses are caused by certain other
viruses, bacteria, or possibly parasites, and are rarely related to influenza.
How long is a person with flu
virus contagious?
The period when an infected person is contagious depends on the age of
the person. Adults may be contagious from one day prior to becoming sick
and for three to seven days after they first develop symptoms. Some children
may be contagious for longer than a week.
What can I do to protect myself
against the flu?
By far, the single best way to prevent the flu is for individuals, especially
persons at high risk for serious complications from the flu, to get a
flu shot each fall.
Can antiviral drugs cure the
flu?
Not exactly. When started within the first two days of illness, they can
reduce the duration of the disease but cannot cure it outright.
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When is the flu season in the
United States?
In the United States, the peak of flu season can occur anywhere
from late December through March. The health impact (infections and deaths)
of a flu season varies from year to year. CDC monitors circulating flu
viruses and their related disease activity and provides influenza reports
each week from October through May
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