The thermometer reads 101.4, you’re surrounded by a lake of used tissues, and even your fingers and toes ache! You have the flu. You canceled a fun weekend getaway and had to arrange with your mom to get the kids to school. Fast forward two weeks, you still feel weak and haven’t been able to get back to your exercise routine.

Flu is short for “influenza,” which comes from the Latin word for “influence.” People used the word “influenza” to describe diseases they thought to be caused or “influenced” by the night stars. My name’s Claire and I’m a senior health educator in the Montefiore Medical System. This year, I’m proud to consider myself an “influenza influencer!”

The flu is an illness of the respiratory system (throat, lungs, diaphragm) that causes fever, chills, runny nose, body aches

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