Influenza, also known as the flu, is a respiratory illness affecting the nose, throat, and lungs. This contagious disease is caused by the influenza virus (right) and is spread by the droplets that people make when they cough, sneeze, or talk. The symptoms of influenza include fever, coughing, sneezing, sore throat, runny nose, and headaches. It takes the average person 2 days for their symptoms to show from when contracted the flu. The people at higher risk for flu-complications are people over the age of 65, pregnant women, people with certain chronic diseases, and young children. To prevent the flu, it is recommended to get a flu shot every year, stay away from people who are sick, and frequent hand washing.