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 a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It typically causes fever, chills, coughing, sore throat, body aches, fatigue, and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea. You can protect yourself by washing your hands often with soap and water, avoiding close contact with people who are sick, and getting vaccinated if you haven't already.