Flu is a viral respiratory infection passed from person to person. Seasonal flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by flu viruses that sail through the air in droplets when an infected person speaks, sneezes, or coughs. Others can inhale the droplets, or germs can easily be transferred from contaminated surfaces or hands to the eyes, mouth, or nose.
There are several different flu types, including avian flu, swine flu, H1N1, influenza A, influenza B, H3N2, H5N1, and H7N9. Many strains exist each flu season, but generally one or two reign as that year’s “seasonal flu.”
Can you answer these flu questions? Test your flu knowledge. Learn what causes seasonal flu changes year to year and make sure you know prevention techniques.