How does the flu spread?
Medical professionals believe the flu virus spreads from person to person in the respiratory droplets from coughs and sneezes. This can happen when droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person are propelled (generally up to 3 feet) through the air and deposited on the mouth or nose of people nearby. The viruses also can spread when a person touches respiratory droplets on another person or an object and then touches their own mouth or nose (or someone else’s mouth or nose) before washing their hands.

Show All Answers

1. How do I know that I have the flu?
2. How does the flu spread?
3. How long is a person with flu virus contagious?
4. Can the flu be treated?
5. Why should people get vaccinated against the flu?
6. When should I get a flu vaccine?
7. How do flu vaccines work?
8. Is the “stomach flu” really the flu?
9. How many people get the flu each year?
10. Do other respiratory viruses circulate during the flu season?
11. How soon will I get sick if I’m exposed to the flu?
12. How do scientists determine which strains to protect against in a flu vaccine?
13. Can a flu vaccine give you the flu?
14. Why do I feel sick after getting a flu shot?
15. Why did I still get sick even after I got a flu shot?
16. Do I need to get a flu vaccine every year, or will the immunity carry over from last year’s vaccine?
17. Is it ever too early or too late to get a flu vaccine?
18. How can I learn more about the progress of the flu season?