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  1. UAMS Health
  2. Conditions
  3. Flu

Condition: Flu

Also called: Influenza

What is the flu?

The flu, also called influenza, is a respiratory infection caused by viruses. Each year, millions of Americans get sick with the flu. Sometimes it causes mild illness. But it can also be serious or even deadly, especially for people over 65, newborn babies, and people with certain chronic illnesses.

What causes the flu?

The flu is caused by flu viruses that spread from person to person. When someone with the flu coughs, sneezes, or talks, they spray tiny droplets. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby. Less often, a person may get flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes.

What are the symptoms of the flu?

Symptoms of the flu come on suddenly and may include

  • Fever or feeling feverish/chills
  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headaches
  • Fatigue (tiredness)

Some people may also have vomiting and diarrhea. This is more common in children.

Sometimes people have trouble figuring out whether they have a cold or the flu. There are differences between them. The symptoms of a cold usually come on more slowly and are less severe than symptoms of the flu. Colds rarely cause a fever or headaches.

Sometimes people say that they have a "flu" when they really have something else. For example, "stomach flu" isn't the flu; it's gastroenteritis.

What other problems can the flu cause?

Some people who get the flu will develop complications. Some of these complications can be serious or even life-threatening. They include

  • Bronchitis
  • Ear infection
  • Sinus infection
  • Pneumonia
  • Inflammation of the heart (myocarditis), brain (encephalitis), or muscle tissues (myositis, rhabdomyolysis)

The flu also can make chronic health problems worse. For example, people with asthma may have asthma attacks while they have flu.

Certain people are more likely to have complications from the flu, including

  • Adults 65 and older
  • Pregnant women
  • Children younger than 5
  • People with certain chronic health conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, and heart disease

How is the flu diagnosed?

To diagnose the flu, health care providers will first do a medical history and ask about your symptoms. There are several tests for the flu. For the tests, your provider will swipe the inside of your nose or the back of your throat with a swab. Then the swab will be tested for the flu virus.

Some tests are quick and give results in 15-20 minutes. But these tests are not as accurate as other flu tests. These other tests can give you the results in one hour or several hours.

What are the treatments for the flu?

Most people with the flu recover on their own without medical care. People with mild cases of the flu should stay home and avoid contact with others, except to get medical care.

But if you have symptoms of flu and are in a high risk group or are very sick or worried about your illness, contact your health care provider. You might need antiviral medicines to treat your flu. Antiviral medicines can make the illness milder and shorten the time you are sick. They also can prevent serious flu complications. They usually work best when you start taking them within 2 days of getting sick.

Can the flu be prevented?

The best way to prevent the flu is to get flu vaccine every year. But it's also important to have good health habits like covering your cough and washing your hands often. This can help stop the spread of germs and prevent the flu.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Courtesy of MedlinePlus from the National Library of Medicine.

Syndicated Content Details:
Source URL: https://medlineplus.gov/flu.html?utm_source=mplusconnect&utm_medium=service
Source Agency: National Library of Medicine

Treatments and Procedures Related to Flu

  • Flu Shots

Providers Treating Flu

Note that every provider listed below may not perform or prescribe all treatments or procedures related to Flu. Review each provider for availability.

Kristen J. Shealy, M.D.

Kristen J. Shealy, M.D. Internist

View Profile
Leslie A. Stone, M.D.

Leslie A. Stone, M.D. Family Medicine Physician

View Profile

Locations Where Providers Treat Flu

UAMS Northwest exterior (FMC sign)

Drive-Up Clinic — Fayetteville (Part of Family Medical Center — Fayetteville)

1125 N. College Ave.
Fayetteville, AR 72703

Appointment Phone Number
(479) 521-8260
New and Returning Patients
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Family Medical Center, North Central

Family Medical Center — Batesville

1993 Harrison St.
Batesville, AR 72501

Appointment Phone Number
(870) 793-2540
New and Returning Patients
View Location Get Directions
UAMS Northwest exterior (FMC sign)

Family Medical Center — Fayetteville

1125 N. College Ave.
Fayetteville, AR 72703

Appointment Phone Number
(479) 521-8260
New and Returning Patients
View Location Get Directions

Family Medical Center — Fort Smith

1301 S. E St.
Fort Smith, AR 72901

Appointment Phone Number
(479) 785-2431
New and Returning Patients
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UAMS Family Medical Center, East

Family Medical Center — Helena

1393 Highway 242 South
Helena, AR 72342

Appointment Phone Number
(870) 572-6507
New and Returning Patients
View Location Get Directions
UAMS Northeast building exterior

Family Medical Center — Jonesboro

311 E. Matthews St.
Jonesboro, AR 72401

Appointment Phone Number
(870) 972-0063
New and Returning Patients
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Exterior of Family Medical Center - Little Rock

Family Medical Center — Little Rock

521 Jack Stephens Drive
First floor
Little Rock, AR 72205

Appointment Phone Number
(501) 686-6560
New and Returning Patients
View Location Get Directions
Family Medical Center - Magnolia

Family Medical Center — Magnolia

1617 N. Washington St.
Magnolia, AR 71753

Appointment Phone Number
(870) 234-7676
New and Returning Patients
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Family Medical Center, Pine Bluff

Family Medical Center — Pine Bluff

1601 W. 40th Ave.
Pine Bluff, AR 71603

Appointment Phone Number
(870) 541-6000
New and Returning Patients
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NW Hospital exterior

Family Medical Center — Springdale

601 W. Maple Ave.
Suite 102
Springdale, AR 72764

Appointment Phone Number
(479) 750-6585
New and Returning Patients
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UAMS Family Medical Center, Texarkana

Family Medical Center — Texarkana

3417 U of A Way
Texarkana, AR 71854

Appointment Phone Number
(870) 779-6000
New and Returning Patients
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Exterior of Outpatient Center

Internal Medicine Clinic

4110 Outpatient Circle
Outpatient Center
First Floor
Little Rock, AR 72205

Appointment Phone Number
(501) 686-8000
New and Returning Patients
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UAMS Medical Center exterior

Student Health Clinic

4301 W. Markham St.
Central Building
Ground Floor, Room 600
Little Rock , AR 72205

Appointment Phone Number
(501) 686-6381
New and Returning Patients
View Location Get Directions

Areas of Expertise for Flu

Image of a male doctor examining a young girl as her mother sits nearby.

Primary Care

Primary care is a term used to describe the setting in which a health care provider acts as the first point of consultation for a patient. The term “PCP” can …

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Make an Appointment

Request an appointment by contacting a clinic directly or by calling the UAMS Health appointment line at (501) 686-8000.

UAMS Health LogoUAMS HealthUniversity of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Mailing Address: 4301 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205
Phone: (501) 686-7000
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