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The flu, or influenza, is a viral disease of the respiratory tract -- the nose, throat, bronchial tubes and lungs -- and is highly contagious.
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Flu Is Contagious
Flu is spread though airborne droplets of moisture produced by coughs or sneezes. When you breathe these germs in through your nose or mouth, you may come down with the flu, generally within one to three days of being exposed.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 10 to 20 percent of Americans fall victim to influenza outbreaks every year, although rates of infection vary among age groups and from one season to another. Outbreaks frequently start in school-age children, who carry the virus home and to other group activities.
Continued on page 2: Flu Can Be Deadly
