What is flu (Influenza) ?
Influenza, commonly known as "the flu," is a highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory tract. Although the flu affects both sexes and all age groups, kids tend to get it more often than adults. The illness even has its own season — from November to April, with most cases occurring between late December and early March.
Signs and Symptoms

The flu is often confused with the common cold, but flu symptoms are usually more severe than the typical sneezing and stuffiness of a cold.

Symptoms of the flu may include:

* fever
* chills
* headache
* muscle aches
* dizziness
* loss of appetite
* tiredness
* cough
* sore throat
* runny nose
* nausea or vomiting
* weakness
* ear pain
* diarrhea

Infants with the flu may simply seem sick all of a sudden or "just don't look right." The flu discussed here is not the same strain of virus as the avian flu.
Duration

After 5 days, fever and other symptoms have usually disappeared, but a cough and weakness may continue. All symptoms are usually gone within a week or two. However, it's important to treat the flu seriously because it can lead to pneumonia and other life-threatening complications, particularly in infants, senior citizens, and people with long-term health problems.

Contagiousness
Spread by virus-infected droplets that are coughed or sneezed into the air, the flu is contagious. People infected with the flu are contagious from a day before they feel sick until their symptoms have resolved (usually about 1 week for adults, but can be up to 2 weeks for young kids).

Preventing the Flu From Spreading
There's no guaranteed way — including being vaccinated — to prevent anyone from getting the flu. Avoiding large crowds can help, but it's often impossible to keep kids cooped up.

Here are some practical ways to help prevent the spread of the flu:

* Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently.
* Never pick up used tissues.
* Never share cups and eating utensils
* Stay home from work or school when you're sick with the flu.
* Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.

Treatment
Cases of the flu rarely require specific medical treatment. But some kids with chronic medical conditions may become sicker with the flu and need to be hospitalized, and flu in an infant can also be dangerous. For a severely ill child or one with other special circumstances, a doctor may prescribe an antiviral medicine that can ease flu symptoms, but only if it's given within 48 hours of the onset of the flu.

These at-home tips can help most otherwise healthy kids cope with the flu. Have them:

* drink lots of fluids to prevent dehydration
* get plenty of sleep and take it easy
* take acetaminophen or ibuprofen to relieve fever and aches (but do not give aspirin unless your doctor instructs you to do so)
* wear layers, since the flu often makes them cold one minute and hot the next (wearing layers — like a T-shirt, sweatshirt, and robe — makes it easy to add or subtract clothes as needed)

When to Call the Doctor
Call the doctor if your child:

* has flu symptoms
* has a high temperature
* seems to get better, but then feels worse than before
* has any trouble breathing, seems confused, or seems to be getting worse

For the most part, though, the flu is usually gone in a week or two with a little rest and tender loving care.

  Flu can be easily spread through germs

  Eat food which includes vitamin C and garlic (a natural antibiotic)

  Wash your hands to avoid flu