The Flu Influenza is a respiratory disease caused by a virus. Depending on the individual and on the type of virus, symptoms of Flu can range from mild to severe.
Flu is highly contagious.
Epidemics usually occur during the winter months and last 4-6 weeks. Flu is a potentially serious disease which can be life threatening to the chronically ill and aged. Contact with the Flu Virus may be by direct when infected people cough or sneeze and Flu Viruses are propelled into the air, infecting others. Or contact may be indirect when infected people use towels, telephones, tooth paste tubes, dishes, glasses, etc. They may leave Flu Virus behind that can infect others.