Microorganism which causes influenza

Testing this sample in a lab can show if you have the flu. But usually this isn't needed. Based on your symptoms and how you look, your doctor can usually tell if you have the flu, especially during times when a lot of flu is going around your town.

Most of the time, kids with the flu feel better in about a week. Until they do, they have to stay home from school and take it easy. Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. What's the Flu? What's the Flu Vaccine? For kids, there are two types of flu vaccines: a flu shot , given with a needle a nasal spray , sprayed into the nose This flu season — both types seem to work equally well.

Here's what the vaccine means for most kids: Kids older than 9 need only 1 dose. Are you younger than 9? You will need 2 doses if this is your first time getting the vaccine, or if you've only had 1 dose in the past.

You'll get the first dose and then come back at least a month later to get the second one. You will need only 1 dose if you've gotten the flu vaccine at least twice in the past. Your parents and doctor can look this up. If you've gotten the flu vaccine at least twice in the past, you will only need to get 1 dose. Some people are at higher risk of problems if they get the flu, including: pregnant women kids younger than age 5 people age 65 and older people of any age who have long-term health conditions So if you're a kid who has asthma, diabetes, or another health problem, it's extra important that you get the flu vaccine.

How Does the Flu Spread? To receive weekly email updates about Seasonal Flu, enter your email address:. Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link. Influenza Flu. Section Navigation. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. Understanding Flu Viruses. Minus Related Pages. More Information about Flu Viruses. Symptoms usually develop after an incubation period of one to three days from the time of infection. The principal symptoms include a sudden fever, sore throat, headache, sore muscles, and a feeling of malaise.

The fever lasts two to four days, and after that, respiratory symptoms such as a runny nose and cough will develop. In addition to fever and respiratory symptoms such as a runny nose and cough, cases involving abdominal symptoms such as nausea, stomach ache, and diarrhea, or neurological symptoms such as spasms and disorders of consciousness, as well as middle ear inflammation and muscle inflammation, are more common than in adults.

The flu can also cause bronchitis in children. The fever may subside once during the course of the illness as if the flu had run its course, only to reappear half a day to a day later. The condition begins with a sudden high fever and then strong systemic symptoms such as sore throat, headache, joint pain, and malaise.