Initially, the flu may resemble a cold with symptoms like runny nose, sore throat, and sneezing. Colds usually start slowly whereas flu gives its effects quickly.  While a cold can be uncomfortable, the flu typically makes you feel much worse. Common symptoms include dry cough, headache, shortness of breath, vomiting, diarrhea, and fatigue.

While most individuals recover from these symptoms without needing medical attention, Influenza can cause severe illness or death, particularly among high-risk groups. These groups include children, pregnant women, the elderly, healthcare workers, and those with serious medical conditions.

In temperature climates, influenza epidemics primarily occur during the winter months. However, the flu can appear throughout the year in tropical regions, resulting in more outbreaks.