A flu virus may be 90 times smaller than a human red blood cell - so small it can hide between light waves - but in a typical year it can cause nearly half as many American deaths as traffic accidents. As skilled at changing its appearance as Tom Cruise in "Mission Impossible," the flu virus mutates from one season to the next, making last year's immunizations useless in fighting this year's variation. But recent developments in the pharmaceutical industry are improving the odds on the medical battlefield. Learn more about this devious pathogen and your weapons against it.

By: Tom and Particia Svarney

The ABC's of the Flu Virus A virus acts like something out of a zombie horror movie...a genetic entity that exists somewhere between a living and non-living state. Viruses exist only to make more viruses, content to reproduce and kill off the healthy host cells they invade. The nasty influenza viruses are no different. Learn more >>

Symptom Checker Flu's symptoms, from body aches to cough and fever, are legendary. But what causes all that misery? Look here to find out why you feel so awful. Learn more >>

Fighting Back Against the Flu Even a few years ago there was little one could do to shorten the severity or duration of the flu, but several medications are now available to treat the flu. The trick? You have to start taking them within 48 hours of being infected. Learn more >>

See What's Going on Inside Day 1 -- A colleague returns to work while still suffering from the flu. Are you the viruses next target? Go inside the day-to-day process of how the flu works its way into and out of your body. Learn more >>

When to Call the Doctor While the flu is usually uncomplicated and ends within a week, it can be associated with serious and sometimes fatal complications. Learn more >>

Should I Get a Flu Shot? To give yourself a fighting chance against the flu, doctors recommend an annual vaccination. If you have no specific conditions or allergies to the shot, anyone over the age of 6 months can receive one. Because it takes 2 weeks for the vaccine to take effect, it's best to get your shot early in the season. Learn more >>

Ten Ways to Avoid the Flu You don't have to be a victim of the flu bug this year. Fight it off! These tried and true tips will help you avoid this nasty virus. Learn more >>