" Unpredictable, yet completely avoidable, the best way to protect you and your family from the flu is to get vaccinated. The flu causes over 36,000 deaths every year, making it that more important for you to be vaccinated. What is the flu? The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus. It can cause mild to severe illness, causing hospitalizations and death. Some symptoms include fever, cough, headaches, fatigue and body ...