The winter season is always accompanied by a range of respiratory ailments and flu is one of them. Caused by the influenza virus, flu can be diagnosed throughout the year, but cases increase significantly during the fall and winter. One reason for this is that the virus can survive indoors longer in winter due to less humid air.
Influenza or flu is a highly contagious respiratory virus that can spread from person to person through respiratory droplets suspended in the air during sneezing or coughing. There are four types of influenza virus. Of all, influenza A is the most common, followed by influenza B. Both are highly contagious and can cause severe symptoms such as cough, headache, muscle and joint pain; in severe cases, it can also worsen certain chronic medical conditions, such as asthma, heart disease and diabetes.
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