Flu in Adults
Flu in Adults FactsInfluenza (flu) is an acute viral infection of the nose, throat, and lungs. It is a common cause of acute respiratory illness and can affect people of all ages. It occurs every year beginning in late fall, with the peak season for the flu in the northern hemisphere extending from November through March. It infects in a widespread fashion, affecting people of different ages at the same time.
Medically Reviewed by a Doctor on 11/30/2015
Medical Author:
Steven Fine, MD, PhD
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Patient Comments & ReviewsThe eMedicineHealth doctors ask about Flu in Adults: |
In general, all medications, including intramuscular, intradermal, and nasal-spray vaccines, have side effects and the potential for allergic reactions. For most medicines and vaccines, the side effects or reactions are infrequent and are minimal if they do occur. Consequently, the pros far outweigh the cons for vaccination.
Influenza virus infection, one of the most common infectious diseases, is a highly contagious airborne disease that causes an acute febrile illness and results in variable degrees of systemic symptoms, ranging from mild fatigue to respiratory failure and death.
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