It happens every year. The days grow shorter, the temperature drops, footballs fly—and the flu strikes. Influenza, or the flu, is so common that it’s easy to dismiss this seasonal affliction as “just a virus” or “just the flu.” It’s true that the flu is caused by a virus and that most patients recover without specific therapy. But it’s also true that thousands of Americans die from the flu each year and millions are sick enough to miss work or school. Influenza is a serious infection —but it can be prevented and treated.

  • Welcome to the Patient Education Center

    How is your health? Do you have diabetes, allergies, depression, or congestive heart failure? Have you recently had a heart attack, stroke, or asthma attack? Have you been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, breast cancer, or osteoporosis? Are you having problems with chronic pain, hypertension, high cholesterol, anxiety, or insomnia?

  • About PEC

    The Patient Education Center provides multimedia access to reliable and relevant medical information at and beyond the point of care. Our content is developed exclusively by Harvard Health Publications, the media and publishing division of the Harvard Medical School of Harvard University, and distributed in collaboration with HealthBridge, an M|C Holding Corporation brand.