ill with the flu

[GeneD]

He is ill with the flu. He won't be coming tonight. From a Belarusian exercise book.

Unfortunately for me, there are no anwer keys for some exercises in that book, so I'm not sure about whether some of my answers are correct or not. Have I chosen the right preposition, or is there a better option?

 

[teechar]

Your choice of preposition is correct. However, while "ill with the flu" is not incorrect, I prefer "sick with the flu" or even "down with the flu".

 

[emsr2d2]

Or the much simpler "He has [the] flu".

 

[GeneD]

Or the much simpler "He has [the] flu".

You've put "the" into parentheses. Does it mean "the" can be omitted before "flu"? Which use is more common: with or without "the"?

 

[emsr2d2]

In BrE, "He has flu" is more common. Some illnesses take an article and some don't.

I have flu.
I have cancer.
I have typhoid.
I have a cold.
I have a headache.