Health / A2

FLOO/fluː/

Flu (influenza) is an illness with fever, aches, and a heavy-cold feeling: have (the) flu, catch the flu, off school with flu. A cold is usually milder. Virus is the cause, not the everyday name. Spell it flu, not flew (past of fly) or flue (a chimney pipe). Take advice if it gets worse.

Meaning

A common illness with fever, aches, and a cold-like feeling.

Examples

• “She missed school because of the flu.”
• “Half the class was away with flu.”
• “He caught the flu on the long flight.”

Good to know

have / catch (the) flu. Milder: a cold. Mix-ups: flew (fly), flue (chimney).

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