Influenza is a virus that can:

• spread quickly
• make you very sick.

People often call it the flu.

The flu is more serious than a cold.

The flu can also lead to other health problems, like an infection in your lungs.

When you have an infection, it means germs have gotten into your body. 

This can make you very sick.

If the flu leads to other health problems, you might need to go to hospital.

When you catch the flu, you might have:

• a fever

• chills

• pain in your joints and muscles

• a headache.

You might also have a:

• cough

• sore throat

• runny or stuffy nose.

The flu can also make you feel very tired.

Children with the flu might also:

• feel sick in the stomach

• vomit

• get diarrhoea.

Diarrhoea is when you have to go to the bathroom a lot because your poo is watery and loose.