But did you know that we know that you know that we know? Never mind. Bottom line: Despite people's continued habits of calling stomach illnesses "the flu," that is not what we mean when we refer to seasonal influenza. While people with true flu infections can suffer vomiting, it is not a primary symptom. The confusion showed in today's story when a teen getting a flu shot expressed his concerns.

Viruses that cause stomach illnesses are also circulating now, which adds to the confusion. Some readers were upset that Edin's quote was in the story. While it certainly reflected the public confusion that exists, some experts suggested that it perpetuated the confusion we should be trying to prevent. One responder who works for an East Metro health care system offered the following criticism this morning:

So what are the classic symptoms of seasonal influenza? High fever, headaches, soreness, chills and fatigue. To put it simply, when you've got an influenza infection you know it, because it really knocks you out.

News about a severe flu season is certainly creating concerns in the public. The good news? Right now, flu shots are in abundant supply. This wasn't always the case in prior seasons when manufacturing problems led to shortages and caused panics even though the seasonal flu strains weren't unusually severe.