Book excerpt: What You Need to Know About the Flu offers readers a concise yet in-depth look at the influenza virus and the illness it causes, with both a historical perspective and a contemporary discussion of treatment, prevention, and controversies. Seasonal influenza strikes each winter, sickening millions, causing thousands of hospitalizations and deaths, and resulting in millions of dollars in health care costs and lost work productivity. The flu can also cause periodic epidemics and global pandemics. Experts fear the next public health emergency may be a new and deadly strain of influenza. This book is a part of Greenwood's Inside Diseases and Disorders series. This series profiles a variety of physical and psychological conditions, distilling and consolidating vast collections of scientific knowledge into concise, readable volumes. A list of "top 10" essential questions begins each book, providing quick-access answers to readers' most pressing concerns. The text follows a standardized, easy-to-navigate structure, with each chapter exploring a particular facet of the topic. In addition to covering basics such as causes, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and management options, books in this series delve into issues that are less commonly addressed but still critically important, such as effects on loved ones and caregivers. Case illustrations highlight key themes discussed in the book, accompanied by insightful analyses and recommendations.