Hi, I’m Louise. Most people call me Lou and I live in New York. I feel pretty rotten right now. I have a sore throat, a cough, and achy muscles. My doctor said I caught the flu — that’s short for influenza , a type of virus.

My friends Sue, Hugh, and Stu also caught it. I hear it’s going around, and not just to people whose names rhyme!

My dad’s giving me lots of stuff to drink and is making sure I sleep a lot. I asked my doctor, “Where does the flu come from?” He said, “Scientists think this flu strain comes from ducks on a farm.”