When speaking informally, one can easily conflate influenza and the stomach flu as the two are referred to by the same term, “influenza,” but they are actually two different conditions. Dr. Christina Johns, a pediatric emergency doctor, helps to differentiate between the two.
Influenza, also known as “the flu,” is a respiratory system infection that affects the nose, throat, windpipe, and lungs. The strains of influenza alter annually, causing some years to have a milder season while others are more severe.
The influenza virus, types A, B, C, and D, is the cause of the flu. Type A is more common and can cause outbreaks, while Type B is more common in children under the age of 5.
Common symptoms of the flu include congestion, runny nose, sneezing, coughing, sore throat, body aches, headaches, fever, chills, and fatigue. It is also known for causing a higher sustained fever than other contagious diseases.
The flu is spread through airborne infection from respiratory droplets released when coughing, sneezing, or talking. It is highly contagious, particularly for young children, adults over 65, and immunocompromised individuals. Flu season is most common during the fall and winter months, typically peaking between December and February.
