The Flu

The flu is an illness caused by 

the flu (influenza) virus. The flu is 

usually worse than a cold. It attacks 

the nose, throat, and lungs and can 

cause mild to severe illness. The 

flu can sometimes lead to other 

problems like pneumonia, ear 

and sinus problems, dehydration, 

worsening of asthma, or sometimes 

even death. For most of us, the flu 

will go away in 1 to 2 weeks.

How can I catch the flu?

• The flu is easily passed from

person to person by coughing and 

sneezing.

• A person can also get the flu by 

touching something with the flu 

virus on it and then touching their 

mouth or nose.

What are the signs of the flu?

• Fever  • Cough

• Feeling very tired • Sore throat

• Headache and muscle ache

• Runny or stuffy nose

Who is most at risk for more 

serious problems if they get the 

flu?

Everyone is at risk for getting the 

flu, but some people can get very 

sick. Those most at risk of serious 

problems include:

• Older adults. 

• Very young children.

• Adults and children who have 

certain health problems like 

heart or kidney disease, asthma, 

or diabetes.

• People with HIV/AIDS, cancer, or 

any health problem that makes it 

harder to fight off disease.

• People who live in nursing homes.

These people should call their 

doctor or clinic if they have flu-like 

symptoms.

Health care workers should get a 

flu shot so they do not pass the flu 

to patients.

What can I do to keep from getting 

the flu?

There is no way to make sure that 

you won’t get the flu. But there are 

some steps you can take to lower 

your chances:

• Getting a flu shot or spray 

(vaccine) is the most important 

step to take. Get one every year. 

The best time to get it is in the fall 

before flu season starts. You can 

also get one in the winter at the 

peak of the flu season.

• Wash your hands often.

• Ask your doctor or clinic about 

drugs that can keep you from 

getting the flu. No medicine can 

take the place of the flu vaccine. 

What is a vaccine?

• A vaccine prepares your body in 

advance to fight disease. The flu 

vaccine can be a shot or a spray 

into your nose.

OVER

2008
FDA Office of Women’s Health http://www.fda.gov/womens

TAKE TIME TO CARE... For yourself, for those who need you.

What is the flu vaccine?

• The “flu shot” is made from a dead flu virus 

and is given with a needle, usually in the arm. 

It can be used in people older than 6 months 

of age.

• The nasal spray flu vaccine is made from 

a weakened form of the live flu virus and is 

sprayed in the nose. It can be used in people 

between the ages of 2 to 49 years.

• People who are allergic to eggs or who have 

had a reaction to the flu shot or vaccine 

should not be given the flu shot or nasal flu 

spray. Also, talk to your doctor if you have a 

history of Guillain-Barre’ syndrome.

How well does the flu vaccine work?

• Every year the flu vaccine is changed to 

match the strains of virus that are most 

likely to be going around. The closer the 

match between the strains going around 

and the strains in the vaccine, the better the 

protection. 

• It is always possible that the vaccine will not 

be an exact match to the strains that end up 

causing the most illness. It may still protect 

you, and may reduce symptoms and other 

problems that come from the flu.

Are there drugs to treat the flu? Yes, there 

are a number of medicines that may help you 

feel better.

• Prescription medicines can lessen the time 

that you have symptoms. Your doctor or 

clinic can help you decide whether these 

drugs are right for you.

• Over-the-counter medicines can help with 

flu symptoms such as sore throat, stuffy 

nose, cough, fever, and body aches.

However:

o Never give aspirin to children or teens who 

 have signs of the flu. It can cause serious 

 problems or even death. Call your doctor 

 or clinic if your child is already taking 

 aspirin for another reason and you think 

 she or he has the flu.

o If you already take any medicines, ask 

 your doctor or pharmacist which 

 medicines you can use to safely treat 

 flu symptoms. For example, some over-

 the-counter medicines to treat a stuffy 

 nose (decongestants) can raise your blood 

 pressure or even make your blood pressure 

 medicines less effective.

o No medicine can take the place of the flu 

 vaccine.

• Many other diseases can feel like the flu, but 

they need different treatments. Always go to 

your doctor or clinic if you feel worse.

What should I do if I get the flu?

• Get plenty of rest.

• Drink lots of water or other liquids like juice 

and soup.

• Don’t smoke or drink alcohol.

• Don’t spread your germs. Cover your mouth 

with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, 

then throw the tissue away. Wash your hands 

often. Stay home if you can.

To Learn More:

FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research

Phone: 1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332)

http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/antivirals/influenza/default.htm

The Flu

FDA Center for Biologics Evaluation Research

http://www.fda.gov/cber/flu/flu.htm