influenza

Everyday

An illness caused by a virus, with a high temperature, aches, a sore throat, a cough and great tiredness; it spreads easily. tree →

In the lessons

In science and health lessons: flu is caused by a virus, so antibiotics do not work on it; vaccines help protect. In everyday life people say «the flu» or «flu». History lessons may mention great flu pandemics. Phrases: flu jab, flu season.

Examples

• Influenza is spread by coughs and sneezes. tree →
• Grandma has her flu jab every winter. tree →
• I was off school with influenza for a week. tree →
• Catch it, bin it, kill it — to stop flu spreading. tree →
• Influenza is caused by a virus, not bacteria. tree →
• The doctor said it was influenza, not a cold. tree →

Note

Uncountable. Short form: flu (the flu). A cold is milder than flu. Antibiotics do not cure flu because it is a virus. The word «flu» is not the same as «flew» (past of fly) or «flue» (a chimney pipe) — all three sound alike.