US Medical Term · conditions
Influenza (Flu)
Influenza (Gripe)
Also: Gripa (regional variant)
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Influenza (Flu) |
| Spanish (Español) | Influenza (Gripe) |
| Chinese (中文) | 流行性感冒 |
| Korean (한국어) | 독감 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Cúm |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Trangkaso |
| Portuguese (Português) | Influenza (Gripe) |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | ไข้หวัดใหญ่ |
| Japanese (日本語) | インフルエンザ |
What it means
Influenza, commonly called the flu, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It spreads through respiratory droplets and causes sudden onset of fever, chills, muscle aches, headache, fatigue, sore throat, and cough. Symptoms are usually more severe than a common cold. Most healthy adults recover within one to two weeks, but the flu can cause serious complications such as pneumonia in young children, elderly adults, and people with chronic conditions. Antiviral medications like oseltamivir can shorten illness duration if taken early. Annual flu vaccination is the best prevention strategy.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
I think I have the flu and want to know if antivirals are right for me.
Creo que tengo influenza y quiero saber si los antivirales son adecuados para mí.
How can I tell if my flu has turned into pneumonia?
¿Cómo puedo saber si mi influenza se ha convertido en neumonía?
I need my annual flu shot and want to make sure it covers this year's strains.
Necesito mi vacuna anual contra la influenza y quiero asegurarme de que cubra las cepas de este año.
Where you'll see it
Related ICD-10-CM category
J11 Influenza due to unidentified influenza virusRelated terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026