catch influenza

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "catch influenza" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of contracting the influenza virus, often in a medical or health-related context. Example: "During the winter months, many people tend to catch influenza due to the cold weather and close contact with others."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Teddy doesn't ever catch influenza (as indeed he doesn't in most of the timelines in Life After Life); he grows up to become a bomber pilot in the second world war.

The Guardian - Books

We had to wear face masks so they didn't catch influenza or any plain bugs that we might have picked up, because that could kill them," Linfield explained.

Huffington Post

It is well-known that it is possible to catch influenza even if vaccinated, but that the infection and side effects are then less severe (see Table 4).

BMC Infectious Diseases

Semi-structured interviews, essay questions and group discussions with children included questions on illness perception, on how people catch influenza and colds, and hygiene behaviour.

BMC Public Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

But on 15 January 1919, Freeth caught influenza.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

One cold winter Kitty caught influenza and died.

The New Yorker

Fortunately Mrs Sutton's daughter caught influenza and Anna was able to stay indoors and nurse her.

The Guardian - Books

"You have a very lovely and unusual name," Mr de Winter said, after Mrs Van Hopper had conveniently caught influenza.

The Guardian - Books

Selwyn learned how to manipulate people, and he began to emulate Felton's wardrobe(with the financial help of his mother), Felton caught influenza, and took to bed.

The New Yorker

Stroma's isolation came at an especially bad time, as most of the population had caught influenza and supplies of food dwindled to the point that some items had to be rationed.

Wikipedia

Even though the human immune system can detect and destroy the virus that causes influenza, people can catch flu many times throughout their lifetimes because the virus keeps evolving in an effort to avoid the immune system.

eLife

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about public health or medical topics, "catch influenza" is a clear and understandable way to describe how someone gets the flu. Be mindful of your audience and choose a more formal or informal alternative as appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "catch influenza" when you mean catching a cold or another respiratory illness. Influenza is a specific viral infection, so use the phrase accurately to avoid misleading your reader.

Linguistic Context

Catch influenza functions as a verb phrase where "catch" is the main verb indicating the action of acquiring or contracting, and "influenza" is the direct object, specifying the illness being contracted. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is usable, especially in health contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

37%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "catch influenza" is a grammatically correct and understandable way to describe contracting the flu. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its usability, particularly in medical and health contexts. While ""contract influenza"" offers a more formal alternative, "get the flu" is a common and informal substitute. Usage analysis shows its frequency in news, science, and wiki sources. Remember to use the phrase accurately to avoid confusion with other respiratory illnesses. Common practices to avoid catching the flu include getting vaccinated and practicing good hygiene.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contract influenza

Formal alternative emphasizing the act of acquiring the illness.

get the flu

A more common and informal way of saying you've become infected.

come down with influenza

Indicates the onset of the illness.

become infected with influenza

Scientifically accurate, highlighting the infection process.

be afflicted with influenza

Emphasizes the suffering caused by the illness.

develop influenza

Focuses on the progression of the disease within the body.

be stricken with influenza

Suggests a sudden and severe onset of the illness.

succumb to influenza

Emphasizes the vulnerability of the person to the illness.

acquire influenza

Highlights the process of obtaining the infection.

pick up influenza

Informal, suggesting a casual or unintentional acquisition of the virus.

FAQs

What's a more formal way to say "catch influenza"?

A more formal way to say "catch influenza" is to "contract influenza". This phrasing is often used in medical or scientific contexts.

Is it correct to say "catch the flu" instead of "catch influenza"?

Yes, "catch the flu" is a common and acceptable way to say "catch influenza". "Flu" is an abbreviation of "influenza".

How can I avoid catching influenza?

To avoid catching influenza, get a flu vaccine annually, practice good hygiene such as frequent handwashing, and avoid close contact with people who are sick. These measures can significantly reduce your risk.

What should I do if I think I've caught influenza?

If you think you've caught influenza, consult a healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment options. Rest, stay hydrated, and avoid contact with others to prevent further spread.