Is the Flu Dangerous?

A bad case of the flu can send a healthy person to bed for three to five days.  The person will probably fully recover, however cough and tiredness may persist for days or weeks.

It can be a serious illness in some people.  Each year up to 40 million Americans develop the flu and about 150,000 are hospitalized.  During past epidemics in the United States, influenza and its complications have caused between 10,000 and 40,000 deaths.

People over the age of 50 and those of all ages with chronic illness (i.e., diabetes, heart disease, asthma and HIV) are more likely to become seriously ill with flu.  The same high risk groups described here are at a greater risk for developing complications from the flu like pneumonia.  If you are over 50 or have a chronic disease, contact your doctor at the first sign of the flu.

[What is it? ] [ Do I have it? ] [Just A Cold?] [Dangerous?] [ Once I have it... ] [A Cure?] [ Prevention ]