Influenza, commonly referred to as the
flu, is an
infectious disease caused by
RNA viruses of the
family Orthomyxoviridae, that affects
birds and
mammals. The most common symptoms of the disease are
chills,
fever,
sore throat,
muscle pains, severe
headache,
coughing, weakness/
fatigue and
general discomfort.
Although it is often confused with other
influenza-like illnesses, especially the
common cold, influenza is a more severe disease than the common cold and is caused by a different type of virus.
Influenza may produce
nausea and
vomiting, particularly in children,
but these symptoms are more common in the unrelated
gastroenteritis, which is sometimes, inaccurately, referred to as "stomach flu."
Flu can occasionally cause either direct viral pneumonia or secondary bacterial pneumonia.
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