Influenza is a viral infection that is highly contagious.
People who are infected, but do not feel sick, can transmit the virus to others. These symptoms usually last from two to five days, unless complications develop. The most common life-threatening complication is pneumonia. Practice basic hygiene by sneezing and coughing into tissues and washing your hands frequently. Due to yearly changes of the vaccine composition and decreasing immunity over time, the influenza vaccine should be received every year sometime during the months of September - November.