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Influenza (Seasonal Flu) - Cause

The flu is caused by the influenza virus. Doctors classify the virus as influenza type A and type B, each of which includes several subtypes or strains. Type A is usually responsible for the annual outbreaks that typically occur in the late fall and early winter.

The influenza virus changes often, so having flu caused by one strain does not give you full immunity to other strains.

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Is It a Cold or a Sinus Infection?

You feel run down, have a low-grade fever, post-nasal drip, and a sore throat. Common cold or sinus infection? Put on your detective hat. A cold can actually morph into a sinus infection. But there are some classic symptoms for each illness that can help distinguish between the two. Although a cold and a sinus infection do have a few overlapping symptoms, there are good indicators of each. Let’s take the common cold first.

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  • Widespread outbreaks of the flu usually follow significant changes (called antigenic shifts) in the virus and occur about every 10 years. People who get the flu tend to become much sicker when a shift in the flu virus occurs.
  • Minor changes in the virus (called antigenic drifts) occur nearly every year.

The virus is spread from person to person through:

  • Direct contact, such as shaking hands.
  • Small droplets that form when a person sneezes or coughs.
  • Contact with objects such as handkerchiefs that have been in contact with fluids from an infected person's nose or throat.

When are you contagious?

If you are infected with the flu, you are most likely to pass it to someone else from 1 day before symptoms start and up to 7 days after symptoms develop. Children may be infectious for longer than 7 days after symptoms start.

Symptoms usually develop 1 to 4 days after you are infected. Because symptoms may not develop for a couple of days, you may pass the flu to someone before you know you have it.

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: August 04, 2010
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.
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