Menu

Flu for Dummies

noun

pronunciation: flu

What does Flu really mean?

51 1
51

Hi there!

So glad you asked about the word "flu"! It's actually a really important word that's related to our health. Have you ever experienced feeling sick with a runny nose, cough, sore throat, and maybe even a fever? Well, that's what we call the "flu"!

The flu, short for influenza, is a viral infection that affects our respiratory system. Imagine our respiratory system as a highway in our body for air to travel. Sometimes, tiny viruses - like the flu virus - can sneak onto this highway and cause some trouble inside our bodies, making us feel sick. Just like how traffic can slow down on a busy highway, the flu virus can slow down our body and make us feel weak and tired.

When we catch the flu, it means that our body is fighting off those little viruses. Our immune system, which is like a superhero team inside our body, responds to the flu virus by sending special cells to attack and defeat the virus. While our immune system is working really hard, it can make us feel unwell.

Getting the flu can be a bit like a roller coaster ride. You start off feeling perfectly fine, and then suddenly, you might feel tired, achy, and have a high fever. It's as if your body is saying, "Hang on, there's something strange happening here, I need to fight back!" So, it gears up and activates its defense systems to take on the flu virus.

Now, it's important to understand that the word "flu" can refer to two different things. The first is the illness itself, which we just talked about - the collection of symptoms like coughing, sneezing, fever, and feeling weak. But the word "flu" can also refer to the actual virus, just like how we might say "that guy is a flu expert" to mean they know a lot about the flu virus.

So, to sum it up, "flu" is a word that describes an illness caused by a virus called influenza. It makes us feel sick with symptoms like a runny nose, cough, sore throat, and fever. But don't worry, our amazing immune system fights off the virus, and with some rest, medicine, and warm soup, we usually recover from the flu in no time!

I hope this explanation helps you understand the word "flu" better. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask. Stay healthy!

Best regards,

Your teacher


Revised and Fact checked by Robert Williams on 2023-11-01 00:24:33

Flu In a sentece

Learn how to use Flu inside a sentece

  • You can get the flu from someone who is sick and coughs or sneezes near you.
  • If you have the flu, you may have a fever and feel very tired and achy.
  • It is important to cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you sneeze or cough to prevent spreading the flu to others.
  • You can avoid getting the flu by washing your hands often with soap and water, especially before eating or touching your face.
  • If you catch the flu, it is recommended to rest at home, drink plenty of fluids, and take medicine prescribed by a doctor to help you feel better.

Flu Synonyms

Words that can be interchanged for the original word in the same context.

grippe grippe influenza influenza

Flu Hypernyms

Words that are more generic than the original word.

contagion contagion contagious disease contagious disease respiratory disease respiratory disease respiratory disorder respiratory disorder respiratory illness respiratory illness

Flu Hyponyms

Words that are more specific than the original word.

asian influenza asian influenza asiatic flu asiatic flu swine flu swine flu swine influenza swine influenza