Most people recover after a short bout of illness.
The severity of the flu, and its subsequent impact, changes from year to year.
The flu is spread when infected droplets land in the nose or mouth of someone who isn’t sick.
Illustration by Michela Buttignol for Verywell Health
It typically appears as a concentrated cloud that travels about 6 feet from your body before it dissipates.
The droplets are more concentrated closest to the body and become less concentrated as they move away.
It’s most contagious in the first 3-4 days after the illness begins.
When Is Influenza Fatal?
Preparing for Flu Season
The influenza virus mutates (changes) each year.
This evolving virus requires a new version of the vaccine each year to work against it.
Getting aflu vaccineis the most effective way toprepare yourselffor flu season.
But in the majority of cases, the flu is not deadly.
Understanding how the flu virus is spread is the first step in understanding how to protect yourself from it.
Getting your annual flu vaccine is the best measure of protection.
Talk to your healthcare provider about your concerns, especially if you fall into a high risk category.
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