Overview
Flu season refers to the months when influenza infections become more common. The timing and intensity can vary by country and year, but preparing before transmission rises can make a difference. Preparation includes vaccination, planning for sick days, and taking steps to reduce spread at home, school, work, and in the community.
Key Symptoms
Flu symptoms often come on suddenly. Common symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, tiredness, and sometimes vomiting or diarrhea, especially in children. Symptoms can overlap with COVID-19 and other respiratory infections, so testing may sometimes be needed.
Causes and Risk Factors
Flu is caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. It spreads more easily when people are in close contact indoors, especially where ventilation is limited. Your risk can be affected by local flu activity, vaccination status, travel, crowded settings, and underlying health conditions.
Who Is Affected
Anyone can get the flu, including healthy adults and children. Some people are more likely to develop serious complications, including older adults, children under 5 years, pregnant people, and people with chronic medical conditions such as asthma, heart disease, diabetes, or weakened immune systems. People living in shared settings, such as care homes or dormitories, may also face higher exposure.
Prevention
Getting the seasonal flu vaccine each year is a key step in preparing for flu season. Other helpful actions include washing hands often, avoiding close contact with people who are sick, improving airflow indoors when possible, covering coughs and sneezes, and cleaning commonly touched surfaces. If you become ill, staying home when possible can help protect others.
Diagnosis and Tests
Flu may be suspected based on symptoms and local flu activity, but testing can sometimes confirm the diagnosis. A healthcare professional may recommend a flu test if the result could affect care or infection control decisions. In some places, testing for flu and COVID-19 may both be considered because the symptoms can be similar.
Living With It
Preparing for flu season can include practical planning for your household. Keep basic supplies available, such as tissues, soap, masks if you use them, and a thermometer, and know how to contact local healthcare services if needed. It can also help to make a plan for childcare, work, school, and caring for older relatives or others who may need extra support.
When to Seek Medical Care
Seek medical advice if flu symptoms are severe, are getting worse, or do not improve as expected. People at higher risk of complications should contact a healthcare professional early if they develop flu symptoms. Also seek care if you have trouble drinking fluids, signs of dehydration, or new concerns such as chest pain or confusion.
When It May Be an Emergency
Emergency warning signs can include trouble breathing, blue lips or face, severe chest pain, seizures, severe weakness, confusion, or being difficult to wake. In infants and children, emergency signs can also include fast breathing, poor feeding, dehydration, or unusual sleepiness. If these signs happen, get urgent medical help right away according to your local emergency system.