Influenza ... "Flu", is a viral infection characterised by fever, muscle aching, headache, sore throat, cough, congested nose and sometimes dizzy-ness.

Severity varies from symptoms identical to those of a common cold to rather severe illness including a high fever, marked aching and prostration requiring rest in bed. The illness is usually uncomplicated, but occasionally may be followed, especially in those with underlying ill health, by bronchitis or pneumonia. The length of the illness can be as little as three or four days and as long as three or four weeks.

The severity and length of illness with flu depends on your health and your experience with this specific type of virus previously. If you had the virus two or three years ago, chances are that this attack will be relatively mild because you will have obtained partial immunity. If this is a strain of virus that is making its first appearance in the world, you and most others will be more significantly ill than with the types that have made the rounds before.

Influenza affects the body in subtle ways for as long as six weeks after its onset. You may even with uncomplicated flu be aware of becoming fatigued more easily, of perspiring easily, of getting short of breath with heavy exertion, for three or four weeks.