It’s that time of year again! Flu season. You might think you know all there is to know about the flu, but we could all use a refresher, right?

Influenza, commonly called the “flu,” is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses, according to WebMD. It’s important for you to know common flu symptoms, how to protect yourself and those close to you from getting the flu, and what to do if you get sick with flu-like symptoms.
Not everyone has the same reaction to the flu, which can cause mild to severe illness in some people, while in others, lead to death. WebMD says that although most healthy people recover from the flu without complications, some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious complications from the flu.
Common flu symptoms include fever (usually high), headache, tiredness (sometimes extreme), cough and sore throat. These symptoms may be followed by a runny or stuffy nose, body aches, or diarrhea and vomiting (more common among children than adults). WebMD notes that having these symptoms does not always mean that you have the flu. Many different illnesses, including the common cold, can have similar symptoms.
WebMD stresses you be aware that in some people, the flu can cause serious complications, including bacterial pneumonia, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes. Children and adults may develop sinus problems and ear infections.
The flu usually spreads from person to person when people who are infected cough or sneeze. People occasionally may become infected by touching something with influenza virus on it and then touching their mouth, nose, or eyes. Healthy adults may be able to infect others one day before getting symptoms and up to five days after getting sick. Therefore, it is possible to give someone the flu before you know you are sick as well as while you are sick, according to WebMD.

WebMD recommends protecting yourself and others against the flu by getting a flu vaccincation each year. Two kinds of flu vaccine are available in the United States: t

* The “flu shot”—an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. The flu shot is approved for use in people older than 6 months, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions.
* The nasal-spray flu vaccine—a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu. The nasal mist vaccine is approved for use in healthy people 5 years to 49 years of age who are not pregnant, says WebMD.
When should you get the vaccine?  October or November is the best time to get vaccinated, WebMD says, but you can still get vaccinated in December and later. Flu season can begin as early as October and last as late as springtime.
To help protect yourself and others from the flu, WebMD recommends following these steps:
* Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and throw the tissue away after you use it
* Wash your hands often with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand cleaner, like Purell
* Avoid close contact with people who are sick, and keep your distance from others if you’re sick
* If you get the flu, stay home so you won’t infect others
* Try not to touch your eyes, nose, or mouth, to avoid spreading germs.

If you’re still worried about getting the flu, ask your doctor about antiviral medications.  Three prescription antiviral drugs (amantadine, rimantadine, and oseltamivir) are approved for use in preventing the flu, according to WebMD.
If you end up getting sick, see your doctor to make sure what you have is actually the flu. WebMD says it’s very difficult to distinguish the flu from other infections on the basis of symptoms alone. Your doctor can administer tests that can determine if you have the flu as long you are tested within the first 2 or 3 days of illness.
Make sure you call your doctor if you develop flu-like symptoms and are concerned about your illness, especially if are at high risk for complications of the flu. This special popularion includes people 65 years or older, individuals with chronic medical conditions, pregnant women, and young children.

Most importantly, if you do get the flu, take care of yourself. Get plenty of rest, drink a lot of liquids, and avoid alcohol and tobacco. You can also take medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to relieve the fever and muscle aches associated with the flu.