• Fever (usually high)
• Aches (usually severe)
• Chills (fairly common)
• Tiredness (moderate to severe)
• Sudden onset. The flu usually comes on very quickly and some describe it "like being hit with a truck."

Step Two: Act Fast, See Your Doctor
If you have flu symptoms, see your doctor within 12 to 48 hours, so that you can be properly diagnosed and treated. If you are not sure what to ask your doctor, fluFACTS provides a list of questions that you can print out and bring to the doctor's office.

Step Three: Ask About Prescription Anti-viral Medications
The first defense against the flu is a flu vaccine. If you do come down with the flu, you'll want to see your doctor right away, so he or she may consider if a prescription anti-viral medication is a good option for you. While the over-the-counter products can relieve symptoms, prescription anti-viral medications actually treat the virus by directly attacking it at its source. If taken within 12-48 hours of symptom onset, anti-virals can reduce the duration of the flu and get you back on your feet faster. In addition, anti-virals may be used to prevent your friends and family members from getting the flu.

Other fluFACTS features:

• Test Your Flu IQ. Go to flu FACTS.com to test your flu knowledge. Fill in the gaps by reviewing the symptom charts that explain the difference between cold and flu.

•  Know when the Flu is in Your Area. Type in your zip code to find out if the flu is heading towards your hometown.

• Understand Flu Treatment Options. Learn the role of vaccines and anti-virals, over-the-counter treatments and nonmedical alternatives; why antibiotics don't treat the flu.

• About Influenza, Impact of Influenza, What Is a Flu Pandemic?