Influenza occurs in epidemics, usually during the colder months. It has a sudden onset and symptoms are high fever, muscle aches, headache and neck pain, malaise and a dry cough. Normally it is benign and self-limiting, but in some circumstances it can cause complications, mainly in the elderly or people with underlying diseases.
The flu spreads easily from one person to another in three ways:
- By droplets that are expelled by coughing or sneezing.
- By skin or oral contact with someone sick with the flu.
- By touching or sharing utensils (cutlery, glasses...) and other objects without proper cleaning.