Influenza—or the flu—is a common viral respiratory infection that can be extremely dangerous for some people. Learn more about how to prevent and treat the flu as well as some potential complications related to the illness.

Flu Basics

Person with the flu wraps themselves in a yellow blanket on the couch.
What To Know About Influenza (Flu)
parent taking care of child with the flu
How Long Does the Flu Last?
A man blows his nose
Why Nasal Congestion Happens—And How to Treat It

Prevention

After administering the vaccination, a doctor places a bandage on a patient.
Why Do You Have Arm Pain After a Flu Shot?
Nurse or nursing assistant giving female patient injection for flu vaccination campaign in a medical center to fight winter illnesses or infections
How Long Is the Flu Vaccine Effective?
Doctor gives patient a flu shot.
What Are the Side Effects of the Flu Vaccine?

Treatment and Management

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How To Get Rid of the Flu Quickly
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What To Know About Flu Tests—When You Need One, and What To Do if You Test Positive
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What Are the Long-Term Health Effects of the Flu?

Explore Flu

Woman with brown hair and tan skin sitting in a living room, on a blue couch, wrapped in a tan blanket, blowing her nose into a tissue
How To Tell if You Have a Cold or the Flu This Season
Young man in bed sick blowing his nose and checking his temperature.
What Is the Difference Between a Cold and the Flu?
A family sitting in bed who are sick and blowing their noses.
How Contagious Is the Flu?
Person with flu sitting on couch drinking tea with a blanket
What Is the Difference Between Flu A and Flu B?
A woman who is sick eats soup while wrapped in a blanket on her bed
10 Types of Food To Eat When You Have the Flu—and What To Avoid
Robitussin Honey CF Max Day Adult and Robitussin Honey CF Max Nighttime Adult
Robitussin Cough Syrups Recalled Over Microbial Contamination Concerns
Doctor giving flu shot to senior female patient
Getting COVID and Flu Shots Together May Slightly Increase Risk of Stroke in Older Adults
person sick in bed with influenza b symptoms
What To Know About Influenza B (Flu)
Women having tea together
5 Ways Infectious Disease Experts Stay Healthy During Cold and Flu Season
person with influenza a blowing nose
What To Know About Influenza A
woman receiving vaccine
Study: Females May Be More Likely to Experience Side Effects After Flu Shot
little boy blowing his nose in a classroom because of influenza symptoms
Signs and Symptoms of Influenza (Flu)
man in wheelchair getting flu shot
This Year's Flu Shot Is a 'Good Match,' CDC Says—But Cases and Hospitalizations Continue to Rise
senior man receiving flu shot
CDC Recommends Stronger Flu Shots for People 65 and Older This Season—Here's Why
Man at home with the flu
When Is Flu Season? Top Months
Woman with white hair wrapped in blanket blowing nose sitting on couch
How Many People Die From the Flu Each Year?
Person checks their temperature lying on the couch.
What Is Considered a Fever—and When To Get Medical Attention
Young man receives flu vaccine
Where To Get Free Flu Shots Without Insurance
Close up of person with a mask on coughing and covering their mouth with their hand.
COVID-19 vs. the Flu: Which Is Worse?
Person sits at desk and puts hand to head to soothe headache.
What Is the Period Flu?
What Is a Wet Cough , Young woman coughing while feeling ill in bed
What To Know About a Wet Cough
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Flu Shots: Are They 'Live Virus' Vaccines or Not?
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8 Illnesses That Cause Flu-Like Symptoms That Aren’t the Flu
Healthcare professional hands giving vaccine injection in a woman's shoulder.
What Is SIRVA: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment
sick woman taking her temperature
What Is the Flu Incubation Period?
person getting vaccine
When Is a Good Time To Get a Flu Shot?
mother and daughter at home sick
Is the Flu Airborne?
SIck female blowing nose while looking at thermometer
What Causes a Fever (Pyrexia)?
Person feeling sick, lying on couch in blanket with tissues.
Why It's Unlikely To Have a Cold and the Flu at the Same Time
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Cold and Flu Germs: How Long Do They Live on Surfaces?
Sick woman sitting on the couch and blowing her nose and drinks hot drink
What Are the Symptoms of Influenza (Flu) B?
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How Long Does It Take for the Flu Shot To Be Effective?
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Can You Get a Flu Shot When You Have a Cold?
Woman taking temperature with fever in bed
Can You Get the Flu Twice in One Season?
Woman swabbing her nose for covid-19 or flu and holding iphone at home
At-Home Flu Tests Are Surprisingly Accurate—So Why Don't We Have One Yet?