Facts about the flu

• seasonal influenza, commonly called "the flu," is caused by influenza viruses, which infect the respiratory tract (i.e., the nose, throat, lungs)
• the flu can cause severe illness and life-threatening complications in many people 
• the main way that flu/viruses are thought to spread is from person to person in respiratory droplets of coughs and sneezes 
• in the United States, flu season occurs in the fall and winter
• the time from when a person is exposed to a flu virus to when symptoms begin is about 1 to 4 days, with an average of about 2 days
• the fever and body aches can last 3-5 days and the cough and lack of energy may last for 2 or more weeks
• the flu is a respiratory disease and not a stomach or intestinal disease
• annual vaccination is recommended regardless of past vaccination status or flu infection
• seriously affect workplace productivity in all industries