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6 Textbook Symptoms of the Seasonal Flu
In this video, learn which symptoms are associated with influenza, a highly contagious viral infection that affects the respiratory system.
Written by Lauren Smith, MA | Reviewed by Alexandra Schwarz, MD
Updated on November 30, 2023The flu affects millions of Americans each year, causing missed days at work or school, hospitalizations, and in some cases, even death. Despite the ubiquity of the flu each year, it’s still easy to confuse some of the symptoms with other illnesses.
Influenza is caused by a highly contagious virus that enters the body through the mouth or nose. There are several subtypes and strains of the flu, and some strains are known for causing more severe symptoms than others.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Cold versus flu.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Influenza (flu): Flu symptoms & complications.
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Dolin, R. (2023). Patient education: Influenza symptoms and treatment. UpToDate.
MedlinePlus. (2022). Flu.
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