 anyone can catch the flu anyone can catch the flu healthy mon 3082021 1023 anyone can catch the flu 1 flu is caused by the influenza virus which changes all the time and has many different strains 12 everyone is at risk of catching flu it doesn t matter how fit and healthy you are or your age 12 flu is highly contagious 1 flu infection occurs when you breathe in droplets from the sneezes and coughs of an infected person or if you touch a contaminated surface then touch your mouth eyes or nose  1 people with flu can be infectious for over a week 3  1 day before symptoms develop and  up to 57 days after becoming sick the flu virus can survive in the environment up to 8 hours or more 4 up to 5 mins on hands after transfer from other surfaces up to 1 hour in the air in enclosed environments 8  hours hard surfaces such as stainless steel and plastic flu can spread before any symptoms show you can pass it on to family or workmates before you know you re sick you can be infectious to others for over a week 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 57 days after getting symptoms you can spread flu from  before symptoms develop and after getting symptoms  