Symptoms of influenza, or flu, include fever or chills, body aches, sore throat, cough, and a runny nose, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Fatigue, headaches, vomiting and diarrhea are other flu symptoms.
The flu is an infectious respiratory disease resulting from flu viruses, explains the CDC. Individuals who get the virus experience mild to severe sicknesses and, in some cases, the flu causes death.
Flu viruses cause an infection by entering the mucous membranes of the mouth, eyes or nose, which is why it is essential to wash the hands thoroughly and frequently, states WebMD. Type A flu virus infects animals but typically causes people to suffer sicknesses related to the flu, as the animals act as the hosts. Type A2 influenza virus spreads from person to person through touching virus-infested surfaces. Another type of flu is the Type B virus, which affects humans only and causes less severe symptoms. Type C virus is milder compared to the other viruses and does not cause serious illness.
Recovery from the flu ranges from a few days to two weeks, notes the CDC. It is possible for an infected person to develop complications, such as an ear infection, a sinus infection, bronchitis or pneumonia.
