flu, flue, influenza

The short form flu for influenza has become standard, with no apostrophe (’flu) needed. The word flu is not capitalized when preceded by an uppercase adjective, as in Hong Kong flu.

  • When you have the flu, it is in everyone’s best interest for you to stay at home and rest.
  • The Singapore flu was especially hard on the very young and the very old.

A flue is a duct, channel, tube or pipe.

  • There was a bluebird stuck in the flue of the wood stove.

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