CDC Features - Are You at High Risk for Serious Illness from Flu?

Are You at High Risk for Serious Illness from Flu?

If you are at high risk, flu vaccination is especially important to decrease your risk of severe flu illness. Get your flu vaccine today.

The Flu Can Be Serious

Influenza, commonly called the "flu," is a contagious viral infection that affects the respiratory system — your nose, throat and lungs. The flu can be a serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes even death.
Symptoms of the flu can include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people also may have vomiting and diarrhea.
Flu viruses are different from the many different viruses that can cause the stomach "flu," an illness that involves diarrhea and vomiting. Flu vaccines will not protect against viral illnesses that cause flu-like symptoms.

Flu-Related Complications Can Be More Severe for Some

Flu seasons are unpredictable. Each year in the United States, estimates of flu-associated deaths range from a low of about 3,000 to a high of about 49,000.
Anyone infected with the flu virus can potentially develop serious complications, like pneumonia. Certain people are at high risk for developing flu-related complications if they get sick with the flu. For those living with certain health conditions, like heart disease, diabetes, asthma or HIV/AIDS, the flu can be particularly dangerous.  In addition, older people, especially those 65 or older, as well as pregnant women, also are more susceptible to flu-related complications.
Your best defense against influenza – and its possible complications – is to receive an annual vaccination. In fact, CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get an annual flu vaccination. The flu vaccine is safe and can't cause the flu.
Consider these statistics:

• In one study, having heart disease increased the risk of influenza-related hospitalization by almost three-fold.
• 9 out of 10 flu-related deaths in the United States occur in people 65 and older.
• In pregnant women, changes in the immune system, heart and lungs make them prone to more severe illness from flu.  In addition, a flu-infected pregnant woman also has an increased chance for miscarriage or preterm birth.

If you are currently living with a chronic health condition like heart disease, diabetes or asthma, certain behaviors are probably part of your daily routine, like watching your diet or glucose levels, taking your prescribed medications or keeping your inhaler on-hand. Make getting an annual flu vaccine another part of your better-health routine—it's your best defense against flu-related complications. The flu shot—not the nasal spray—is recommended for people with chronic medical conditions.
Since the flu is contagious, it's also important that all of your close contacts are vaccinated. In addition, people with medical conditions like asthma, diabetes and heart disease also should get the pneumococcal vaccine. Ask your doctor about these vaccines.

Sick with Flu? Early Antiviral Treatment is Important

If you have a high risk condition and you get the flu, early treatment with an influenza antiviral medication is important. Antiviral drugs are prescription medications that can be used to treat the flu. Rapid treatment with antiviral drugs in someone with a high risk condition can mean the difference between being sick at home and possibly ending up in the hospital. Studies show that these drugs work best when they are started within 2 days of getting sick.
Antiviral medications are not a substitute for vaccination. Annual flu vaccination is the first and best way to prevent the flu, but if you do get sick with the flu, antiviral medications are a second line of defense to treat the flu. If you have a high risk medical condition and develop flu-like symptoms, check with your doctor promptly.

It's Not Too Late to Vaccinate!

The latest report and map show early signs of increased flu activity in the United States. Since it takes about two weeks for the body to develop an immune response, now is the ideal time to get a vaccine and be protected before flu activity begins or increases in your community. 
While doctor's offices and health departments continue to provide vaccinations, vaccine is also available at many pharmacies, work places, supermarkets and other retail and clinic locations in your area. The Flu Vaccine Locator is a useful tool for finding vaccine in your area.

CDC Features - Are You at High Risk for Serious Illness from Flu?