HEALTH TOPICS 
Influenza: How to prevent and treat a serious infection
It happens every year. The days grow shorter, the temperature drops — and the flu strikes. Influenza is so common that it's easy to dismiss this seasonal affliction as "just a virus" or "just the flu." It's true that the flu is caused by a virus and that most people recover without any therapy other than rest. But it's also true that thousands of Americans die from the flu each year, and millions are sick enough to miss work or school. Influenza is a serious infection — but it can be prevented and treated.
Special features
HealthMap Flu Vaccine Finder
HealthMap Vaccine Finder is a free service that allows users to search for flu vaccines based on their location. Powered by Harvard Medical School and Boston Children's Hospital.
How an influenza virus infects a cell
See how a flu virus enters a healthy cell, replicates, and exits with this narrated, step-through animation.