human
I've been hearing about a lot of people getting sick from the flu. What is it, and how can I avoid getting sick?
assistant
The flu is an infection caused by viruses that spread through coughing, sneezing, or close contact with someone who has the flu. Symptoms include fever, chills, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headaches, fatigue, and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea. You can reduce your risk of catching the flu by washing your hands often, avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, and avoiding close contact with sick people. If you do get sick, rest, fluids, and over-the-counter medications can help relieve symptoms.