The Flu

1 entry found for influenza.
Main Entry: in·flu·en·zaPronunciation: "in-(")flü-'en-z&Function: noun1 a : an acute highly contagious virus disease that is caused by various strains of orthomyxoviruses belonging to three major types now considered as three separate genera and that is characterized by sudden onset, fever, prostration, severe aches and pains, and progressive inflammation of the respiratory mucous membrane —often used with the letter A, B, or C to denote disease caused by a virus of a specific one of the three genera b : any human respiratory infection of undetermined cause —not used technically 2 : any of numerous febrile usually virus diseases of domestic animals (as shipping fever of horses and swine influenza) marked by respiratory symptoms, inflammation of mucous membranes, and often systemic involvement —in·flu·en·zal /-z&l/ adjective
Source: Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.