How serious is influenza?

Anyone can get the flu, and serious problems from the flu can happen at any age. Complications from the flu may include bacterial pneumonia, dehydration and the worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, diabetes, kidney disease, suppressed immune systems, neurocognitive and neuromuscular disorders. Pregnant women are also at an increased risk of flu-related complications. Children may get sinus problems and ear infections.

While most people who get sick with the flu recover without needing medical treatment, hospitalizations and deaths do occur.  Some people are more likely to get complications from the flu – both seasonal 2009 H1N1 flu – and they should talk to a health care provider about whether they need to be examined if they get flu-like symptoms. They are:

• People aged 65 and older.
• Children younger than 5, but especially those younger than 2.
• Pregnant women.
• People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions that include:
  • Asthma
  • Neurological and neurodeveopmental conditions, including disorders of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerve, and muscle such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy (seizure disorders), stroke, intellectual disability (mental retardation), moderate to severe developmental delay, muscular dystrophy, or spinal cord injury.
  • Chronic lung disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD and cystic fibrosis).
  • Heart disease, such as congenital heart disease, congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease.
  • Blood disorders, such as sickle cell disease.
  • Endocrine disorders, such as diabetes mellitus
  • Kidney disorders
  • Liver disorders
  • Metabolic disorders, such as inherited metabolic disorders and mitochondrial disorders.
  • Weakened immune system due to disease or medication, including people with HIV or AIDS, cancer, or those on chronic steroids.
  • People younger than 19 who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy.

About 70% of people who have been hospitalized with the 2009 H1N1 flu have had one or more medical conditions listed above.

Please note that people 65 and older are the least likely to be infected with 2009 H1N1 flu, but if they get sick, they are at “high risk” of developing serious complications from their illness.