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Influenza is caused by the influenza virus.

The flu can easily spread from person to person, i.e. contagious, via close contact. When an infected person coughs or sneezes, droplets that contain the viruses become airborne and can be inhaled by another person in the nearby vicinity. Another method of spread is through touch. Either through direct touch by an infected person or indirectly touching a common surface that has been touched by an infected person.

Flu season is the time of the year when seasonal influenza outbreaks are prevalent. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in the United States, flu season occurs typically in fall and winter, with peak seasonal flu activity peaking between December and February.

According to the National Foundation for Infectious Disease, the sudden onset of the flu may include some or all of the following symptoms (think F.A.C.T.S.):

• F

• Aches (muscle, body, and headaches)

• Chills

• Tiredness (fatigue)

• Sudden onset

• Cough

• Sore throat

• Nasal discharge

• Stuffy nose

*Disclaimer: You should seek emergency attention immediately if you are experiencing severe or life-threatening symptoms such as shortness of breath, seizures, chest pain. If you are at high risk of flu complications, see a doctor right away to prevent serious flu complications.

Flu antiviral drugs

Flu antiviral drugs can be prescribed as treatment for the flu. When taken within 48 hours after flu symptoms begin, flu antiviral drugs can help accelerate recovery. Below is a list of prescription antiviral medications:

Note that typically, flu goes away on its own in 3 to 10 days. For healthy people, adequate rest and fluid intake is enough to help the body's immune system fight off the influenza virus. Antiviral treatment is not necessary for everyone.

Over the counter medicines and home remedies

Over-the-counter medicines, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can help reduce fever and body pains. Aside from over the counter medicines, here are some at home remedies that may also help you feel better:

•Get adequate rest
•Drink plenty of warm liquids - chicken soup, warm water with lemon, hot tea
•Saltwater gargle - can help reduce swelling and sooth sore throat
•Saline nasal irrigation - can help with runny and stuffy nose

Cold

While the common cold is different from the flu, it is sometimes hard to tell which one you have common colds have flu-like symptoms (e.g. cough, nasal congestion, nasal discharge). More than 200 viruses are known to cause the common colds. However, amongst them, rhinoviruses are the most prevalent. The cold and flu are upper respiratory infections, but flu symptoms tend to be more severe than the common colds.

COVID-19

COVID-19 is caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2 while the flu is caused by the influenza virus. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, COVID-19 spreads more easily than flu and can cause more serious illnesses in some people.

It is hard to distinguish the flu from COVID-19 just by looking at the symptoms alone as they share many similar symptoms. That is why a COVID-19 test is needed in order to confirm diagnosis. These symptoms are characteristic of COVID-19:

• Severe aches, pains

• Headaches

• Fever or chills

• New loss of taste or smell

• Diarrhea

• Fatigue

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is a serious lung disease. Viral or bacterial infections can cause inflammation of the lungs, preventing proper oxygenation of the lungs, depriving the body of oxygen which can lead to death. Flu is a common cause of pneumonia.

Bronchitis

Bronchitis is the inflammation of the bronchial tubes, which are part of your lower respiratory tract, and carry air to and from the lungs. Acute bronchitis are short term and can be caused by an infection or irritating substance, such as inhaled smoke. Chronic bronchitis lasts at least three months.

Sinus infection

Sinus infection (sinusitis) is one of the common upper respiratory infections. There are two types of sinusitis: viral and bacterial sinusitis. During the flu, the virus can infect the sinuses and cause inflammation in the sinus membranes - viral sinusitis. When sinusitis is caused by bacterial infection, it is known as bacterial sinusitis. Symptoms that are common between the flu and sinus infection are: runny nose, stuffy nose, post-nasal drip and cough.