It usually appears in the United States from late fall to early spring. More than 50 million Americans get the flu each year, and more than 10,000 die from flu and its complications. In some years, virulent strains of the virus have caused as many as 50,000 deaths across the country. An estimated 2 million Georgians get the flu each year.
Influenza is very contagious.
Although anyone can become infected, children are more likely to get flu than adults are. The virus that causes influenza is spread through the respiratory tract, usually by coughing or sneezing. It can also be spread if an infected person passes the virus to outside surfaces by touching a doorknob or shaking hands with another person. Other people can become infected by getting the virus on their hands and then rubbing their eyes or nose. Typical symptoms of influenza include fever, headache, muscle aches, coughing and sore throat.