10 Important Facts About Influenza

28. Oktober 2025

3 Min. Lesezeit

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As soon as the annual flu season arrives, the virus spreads very quickly in schools and workplaces, which can cause an epidemic. Many who fall ill recover without complications in about 1-2 weeks. However, the flu often causes serious complications, so it's important to know as much as you can about it.

Wichtigste Erkenntnisse

As soon as the annual flu season arrives, the virus spreads very quickly in schools and workplaces, which can cause an epidemic.
Season: October to May
Influenza can be spread through airborne droplets and touch

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Artikelautor

Dr. Anastasia

Fachärztin für Infektionskrankheiten

Season: October to May

Although the epidemic peaks in winter, you can also catch the flu in the fall and spring. Some people start getting sick as early as October, and the virus continues to spread through May.

Influenza can be spread through airborne droplets and touch

Flu viruses are spread through tiny droplets that form when you cough, sneeze or talk. You can also become infected by touching a surface or object that has the flu virus on it and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.

Contagious even before symptoms appear

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a person becomes contagious up to 24 hours before symptoms appear. The most contagious period is the first 3 to 4 days after the onset of illness. A person is safe to be around others a week after infection.

When the feeling suddenly gets worse

The disease begins quite abruptly — one day you feel fine, but a day later you can't get out of bed because you don't feel well. Sometimes the symptoms appear the day after exposure to the virus, and other times only 4 days after infection.

The symptoms are similar to the flu. In its manifestation, the flu is generally similar to an acute respiratory infection. The symptoms include:

Fever above 38 degrees, chills
Dry, persistent cough
Sore throat
Runny or stuffy nose
Muscle pain
Headache, which is localized in the frontal and brow bone areas
Fatigue, weakness
Vomiting and diarrhea can sometimes occur (although this is more common in children)

However, contrary to widespread belief, high fever does not occur in all influenza patients.

It is not treated with antibiotics

Antibiotics are effective only against bacteria, so they cannot treat viral diseases, including the flu. As a rule, in the first days of illness, patients are recommended to take antiviral medications and treatments to alleviate symptoms. However, against a background of a weakened immune system, a viral infection is often joined by a secondary bacterial infection. In this situation, the doctor may prescribe a course of antibiotics.

Vaccination needs 2 weeks to start working

The seasonal flu vaccination is one of the best ways to protect yourself. However, it takes about 2 weeks to develop antibodies — which is why it's important to get vaccinated early in the season.

You need to get the new flu shot every year

The flu has many strains and mutations, so last year's flu shot won't prevent you from getting the flu. However, the risk of falling ill remains even after timely vaccination. This can happen if contact with the virus occurred before antibodies were developed, or if the vaccine is not effective against the predominant circulating strain. On average, the vaccine reduces the risk of illness by 40-60 %.

Vaccination may cause sickness

There is a misconception that you can get the flu after being vaccinated. This is incorrect. Some people do experience mild flu-like symptoms after the vaccination, but they usually last only 1-2 days and are not the flu.

Flu is life-threatening

Although most people tolerate the flu fairly easily, sometimes it causes serious complications. Those at risk include:

People over the age of 65
Young children, especially those under 2 years old
Women who are pregnant or have recently given birth
People with weakened immune systems
People with chronic illnesses
Native Americans (American Indians and Alaska Natives)
People with a body mass index (BMI) over 40

However, complications can develop in anyone. The flu virus can aggravate chronic diseases such as congestive heart failure, asthma, and diabetes, can lead to heart attack and stroke, and can cause bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, and sinus infections.

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