influenza

in·flu·en·za   (ĭn'flōō-ěn'zə)    n.   An acute contagious viral infection characterized by inflammation of the respiratory tract and by fever, chills, muscular pain, and prostration. Also called grippe. Any of various viral infections of domestic animals characterized generally by fever and respiratory involvement. [Italian, from Medieval Latin īnfluentia, influence (so called apparently from the belief that epidemics were due to the influence of the stars); see influence.] in'flu·en'zal adj.

influenza [(in-flooh-en-zuh)]

Commonly called the flu; an acute and infectious disease of the respiratory system caused by a virus and characterized by fever, muscle pain, headache, and inflammation of the mucous membranes in the respiratory tract.

influenza 

Main Entry: in·flu·en·za
Pronunciation: "in-(")flü-'en-z&
Function: noun
1 a : an acute highly contagious virus diseasethat is caused by various strains of orthomyxoviruses belonging to three major types now considered as three separate genera and that is characterized by sudden onset, fever, prostration, severe achesand pains, and progressive inflammation of the respiratory mucous membrane —often used with the letter A, B, or C to denote disease caused by a virus of a specific one of the threegenera influenza A that has been widespread in the United States this winter —H. M. Schmeck, Jr.> b : any human respiratory infection of undeterminedcause —not used technically
2 : any of numerous febrile usually virus diseases of domestic animals (as shipping fever of horses and swine influenza) marked by respiratorysymptoms, inflammation of mucous membranes, and often systemic involvement —in·flu·en·zal /-z&l/ adjective

influenza in·flu·en·za (ĭn'fl&oomacr;-ěn'zə)
n.
An acute contagious viral infection, commonly occurring in epidemics or pandemics, and characterized by inflammation of the respiratory tract and by the sudden onset, fever, chills, muscular pain, headache, and severe prostration. Also called grippe.

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in'flu·en'zal adj.