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Scientists have classified influenza viruses as types A, B and C. Type A is the most common and leads to the most serious epidemics. Type B can cause epidemics, but usually produces a milder disease than type A. Type C viruses have usually been associated with symptoms suggesting a common cold.
Influenza rarely causes stomach upset; however, young children may have nausea and vomiting during the most severe phase of the flu. What is popularly called "stomach flu" is usually another malady: gastroenteritis. Bacteria, toxins, or viruses other than influenza are the usual causes of gastroenteritis.
Serious illnesses like strep throat, measles, and chickenpox sometimes have flu-like symptoms. It's important to see a doctor if symptoms persist, become severe or localized in the throat, stomach or lungs, or if other symptoms such as skin rash, vomiting or behavioral changes occur.
Influenza and other respiratory viruses can be transmitted in one of two ways: by inhaling infectious particles in the air (like respiratory secretions from a cough or sneeze), or by touching respiratory secretions, usually on the skin, of an already-infected person and then touching one's eyes or nose. Shaking hands, for example, with an infected person, or touching environmental surfaces (like doorknobs or handrails) that have been contaminated with flu virus particles and then touching your eyes or nose may transmit the virus.
"In addition to getting vaccinated, the single most important step people can take to help prevent getting the flu is to wash their hands," says Linda Lambert, PhD, influenza program officer with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Hand washing is especially important after interacting with children, according to Lambert, since children are very susceptible to flu and are the primary spreaders of the virus in the community. Lambert also recommends disinfecting environmental surfaces in the home when someone is sick with the flu since the virus can live for several hours on these surfaces. Using virus-killing disinfectant on telephones, doorknobs, and computer keyboards, for example, can help prevent transmission to other family members. "And if you have the flu," says Lambert, "always use disposable tissues when coughing or sneezing and throw away the tissue immediately to help prevent infectious particles from spreading to someone else."
Flu sufferers should drink fluids, try to eat, and get plenty of rest, says Lambert. Your body is trying to attack the virus, and it takes energy to do that.
While fluids, nutrients, and rest are important elements to curing the flu, over-the-counter medications can help relieve some of the symptoms. "OTC cough-cold products can make you more comfortable," says Debbie Lumpkins, a microbiologist with FDA's division of over-the-counter drug products. "They are intended to treat the symptoms of minor conditions, not to treat the underlying illness."
There are many cough-cold products on the market that contain a variety of ingredients. It's important to check the ingredients listed on the label, says FDA, to make sure that the product does not contain phenylpropanolamine because researchers have found an association between phenylpropanolamine and hemorrhagic stroke. Although the risk of stroke is low, FDA believes that the conditions for which these products are used do not appear to warrant the risk for using this drug.
Children and teenagers with symptoms of flu or chickenpox should not take aspirin or products containing aspirin or other salicylates. Use of these products in young flu and chickenpox sufferers has been associated with Reye syndrome, a rare condition that can be fatal. Be sure to check the label of a product to make sure it doesn't contain aspirin or other salicylates.