Preventing Flu Complications

For most people, the seasonal flu may leave them feeling miserable for a few days. But for others, the flu can have life-threatening complications.

Flu Basics

Season flu is a common illness, which affects between about five and 25 percent of people in the United States each year. Most people will feel the most intense symptoms, such as fever, headache and muscle aches, for a few days. Lingering symptoms including fatigue may last for a week or two.

The seasonal flu is a respiratory illness, which is caused by different flu viruses, such as the influenza A, B, and C virus. There are also subtypes of each strain. Certain strains are more prevalent certain years. According to the World Health Organization, influenza A and B are most common and are included in the seasonal flu vaccine each year. Although the influenza C virus also may cause the flu, it is much less common than the other viruses.

The typical flu season starts in October or November and peaks in about February. The flu is very contagious and is spread through breathing in respiratory droplets from an infected person. Respiratory droplets can occur when an individual sneezes or coughs into the air. It can also be spread by touching a surface, which is infected with the flu virus, then touching your nose, eyes or mouth.

Symptoms often start with a fever and headache. Muscle aches, fatigue and loss of appetite are also very common. Some people develop a cough, sore throat and runny nose. Nausea and vomiting may also develop and are more common in children.

What are Possible Flu Complications?

Although the flu can make you feel like you are dying, most people recover in a week or two with no lasting effects. But for some people, the flu causes complications, which can lead to hospitalization and a fight for their life, and some people will not survive.

Complications from the flu can be relatively mild to lethal. Even otherwise healthy adults can develop complications.  Flu complications, which can occur include sinus and ear infections. Bronchitis, which is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes in the lungs, can also develop due to the flu. Dehydration is also a possibility, especially in children.

Infections can spread to the heart and include pericarditis, which is an inflammation around the heart. Myocarditis, which is an inflammation of the heart muscle, can also develop.

Infections, which develop as a result of flu complications, may travel beyond an isolated organ, such as the heart or lungs.  Infections can become wide spread in the body and lead to a condition called sepsis. Sepsis occurs due to the inflammatory response, which may develop after an infection.

See Also: Flu Season Survival Guide: 10 Easy Steps to Avoid Cold and Flu

This syndrome causes problems breathing and is life-threatening. Patients who have acute respiratory distress syndrome are usually placed on a mechanical ventilator to assist with breathing.

Assessing Your Risk For Flu Complications

It is important for people who are considered to be at an increased risk of developing flu complications to be diligent about preventing the flu.

Who is at Risk for Flu Complications?  

Anyone can develop complications from the flu, but those most at risk include the elderly and children under the age of five. Young children do not have a fully developed immune system. When their body is attacked by a virus, such as the flu, they may be unable to fight it off. It leaves their immune system weakened and more susceptible to other infections, such as pneumonia. 

People age 65 and older are at the highest risk from dying from flu complications according to the CDC.

Pregnant women also get complications from the flu at a higher rate than women who are not pregnant. Changes during pregnancy including increased hormone levels and changes in the immune system make a woman more susceptible to complications, such as pneumonia.  

People with chronic health conditions including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, also have a higher chance of getting complications. Chronic lung problems often cause wheezing, increased mucus production and inflammation of the airways. When you combine that with the flu, the severity of symptoms often increases. Individuals with a history of cardiac problems, diabetes and HIV infection also tend to have a higher rate of complications than the general public.

Taking certain medications, such as chemotherapy or anti-rejection drugs for an organ transplant, leaves a person immunocompromised. This means their immune system is not functioning efficiently, and they can have trouble fighting off infections. The flu can further weaken their fragile immune system and complications may develop. 

Treatment for Flu Complications  

Initial treatment for the flu may include antiviral medication. Because the flu is caused by a virus, antibiotics don’t help. If flu complications develop, such as sinusitis or bacterial pneumonia, antibiotics will then be used.

For mild complications, such as dehydration, drinking plenty of fluids is recommended. For people who are severely dehydrated, intravenous fluid administration will be needed. Most people recover from flu complications without permanent damage, especially people who are otherwise healthy and do not have underlying medical conditions.  

In some instances, severe complications develop which lead to respiratory failure. Patients who cannot breathe effectively on their own need assistance from a ventilator. A ventilator is also referred to as life support. By the time a patient is to the point they need to be placed on a ventilator they are extremely sick, and the prognosis become much worse.

See Also: Natural Cold And Flu Remedies

Talk to your doctor about getting a flu vaccine, especially if you are in a high-risk group for flu complications. Although complications don’t occur in most people, there is no definitive way to prevent complications when the flu does develop.

Frequent and thorough hand washing is also one of the best ways to decrease your chances of catching the flu. Additionally, try to keep your immune system functioning well by eating healthy, getting enough sleep, keeping stress levels low and exercising.