Anyone Can Get Influenza
On average, 1 out of 5 Americans suffers from influenza each year. Approximately 226,000 people in the US are hospitalized, and an average of 36,000 die from influenza and its complications every year.
Anyone can catch the flu. Some influenza infections will cause lost work and school days, but for those at highest risk of suffering from complications, the results can be more severe. The best way to prevent influenza is with an annual influenza vaccination.
Combined with pneumonia, influenza is the nation’s eighth leading cause of death in the US.
Influenza is not the common cold. It’s serious.
Learn common influenza myths and facts, or catch up on the latest influenza information from major news sources and medical sites.
Influenza Symptoms
Influenza symptoms include fever (usually high), headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and muscle aches. Stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, also can occur, but are more common in children than adults.
Complications of Influenza
Complications of influenza can include viral or bacterial pneumonia and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as asthma, congestive heart failure, and diabetes. Children may experience sinus problems and ear infections.
How Influenza Spreads
Influenza viruses spread in respiratory droplets caused by coughing and sneezing. They usually spread from person to person, though sometimes people become infected by touching something contaminated with the influenza virus and then touching their mouths or noses |
Influenza Is Serious—Get the Flu Shot
An annual flu shot is a safe and effective way to help protect you and your family from influenza. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends an annual flu shot for over 250 million people in the United States. That’s 4 out of every 5 people.
Influenza is not the common cold. It’s serious:
- On average, more than 226,000 Americans are hospitalized annually
- On average, about 36,000 die from influenza-related complications each year
- Between 15 and 60 million Americans suffer from influenza in an average year
- Over the past 3 influenza seasons, an average of approximately 60 children have died each year from the disease.
- Approximately 20,000 children younger than 5 years of age are hospitalized each year because of the flu and its complications
- Complications from influenza most often occur among people over 65 years of age
You can find out more about flu vaccines and watch Kristi Yamaguchi in our latest Faces of Influenza videos to learn more about the importance of getting an annual flu vaccine. |
