Flu spreads easily from person to person through droplet distribution when an infected person coughs or sneezes or, quite commonly, through hand-to-hand contact.

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Flu (or influenza) is caused by the influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, sinuses, upper airways and lungs. It is mostly a mild disease in healthy children, young adults, and middle-aged people. It is completely different from the common cold virus.

Flu can, however, be life threatening in older people, babies, toddlers and in people of any age who have chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart, lung, or kidney disease, or a compromised immune system. Those who are at most risk of flu should do all they can to prevent and avoid flu and if complications develop they should be treated as soon as possible.

Reviewed (2006) by Dr Jane Yeats MBChB, BSc(Med)(Hons)Biochem, FCPathSA(Virology).

Read more:
The three types of flu viruses
1918 - how this flu spread through South Africa
How effective is the vaccine and how long will its effects last?

 

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