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Influenza (Flu)

Our influenza health hub offers important information and resources to help you understand and manage your condition.

Influenza (Flu)

Essential Information | Diagnosis | Risk Factors | Prevention | At-A-Glance Guides | Related Conditions | More Resources

Influenza: A Brief Overview

Influenza (also called “the flu”) is a viral infection in the nose, throat, and lungs. About 10% to 20% of Americans get the flu each year. The flu may cause fever, a cough, a sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, headaches, muscle aches, and tiredness. Most people feel better after 1 to 2 weeks. However, for some people, the flu leads to serious diseases, such as pneumonia and even death.

Influenza Essential Information

An ill young woman with a fever holds an ice bag on her head while resting in bed. A cold and the flu are viral infections that affect the respiratory system.

Colds and the Flu

Find out more about the flu including symptoms, causes, prevention and treatment options.

An older woman gets a flu shot. There are a lot of myths surrounding the flu.

Flu Myths

The flu is something to take seriously. But it’s important to sort out fact from fiction to stay healthy.

Influenza Diagnosis

A sick man sleeps on the couch next to a table with medication and a glass of water. These days, when you’re feeling under the weather with a fever, body aches, and other symptoms, you may wonder whether you have season influenza (flu) or COVID-19. The two share many similarities, but there are a few differences.

Do I Have COVID-19 or the Flu?

These two conditions share many similarities, but there are a few key differences to keep in mind.

A mother and two young children lie in bed blowing their noses. Flu symptoms can sometimes be mistaken for symptoms of the common cold and vice versa. Both are contagious respiratory illnesses.

Flu Symptoms vs. Cold Symptoms

The common cold and the flu share many similar symptoms, but they are two different conditions.

Influenza Risk Factors

People from racial and ethnic minority groups are more likely to be hospitalized when they have the flu, according to an analysis from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Flu Complications Risk Greater for Minority Groups

People from racial and ethnic minority groups are more likely to be hospitalized when they have the flu, according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Chronic health conditions can increase your risk of being hospitalized with influenza. Getting an annual flu vaccine is the best protection.

Flu Risks and Chronic Conditions

Chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, obesity and blood disorders can increase your risk of being hospitalized with influenza.

Influenza Prevention

A doctor in a white lab coat with a stethoscope places a Band-Aid on the upper arm of a patient who just received a flu vaccine.

Complete Guide to Flu Vaccines

The best weapon we have against the flu is to get a flu vaccine each year before flu season begins.

A pregnant woman gets a flu shot in the arm.

Flu Vaccine During Pregnancy

An influenza (flu) vaccine is the best way to protect yourself from the flu, even when you are pregnant.

A young caring mother kisses her sick daughter's head. Cold and flu season often begins in October as the weather outside starts to turn cold. It can last until May. Each year, it’s important to prepare and protect your family from these illnesses.

Combat Cold and Flu Season

Cold and flu season often begins in October. There are several steps you can take to protect against illness.

A family suffering from the flu holds tissues up to their noses while sitting on a couch.

Preventing the Flu

Good hygiene, boosting your immune system and annual vaccination are the best ways to avoid getting the flu.

Influenza At-A-Glance Guides

Infographic about flu disparities

Graphic showing four common myths about the flu with images to the right and flu facts below

Infographic about flu vaccinations

A doctor listens to a patient’s lungs with a stethoscope. Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs usually caused by bacteria or a virus. Walking pneumonia is a mild case of pneumonia.

A mother holds baby being checked for bronchiolitis by a doctor with a stethoscope.

COVID-19 is a disease caused by a coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2, which was identified in 2019.

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

A toddler wears an oxygen mask. RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) is a common virus that makes it hard to breathe. RSV is common in children under 2, but anyone can get it.

Additional Influenza Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Key Facts About Influenza

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Seasonal Flu Shot

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: 5 Tips, Natural Products for the Flu and Colds: What Does the Science Say?

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Flu Vaccine Safety and Pregnancy

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Flu Disparities Among Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups