The main way that influenza viruses are thought to spread is from person to person in respiratory droplets of coughs and sneezes. People with flu can spread it to others up to about 6 feet away. Most experts think that flu viruses are spread mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. Less often, a person might also get flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth or nose.