{"id":15466,"date":"2020-09-18T09:00:50","date_gmt":"2020-09-18T13:00:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=15466"},"modified":"2023-08-04T16:11:02","modified_gmt":"2023-08-04T20:11:02","slug":"flu-complications","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/flu-complications\/","title":{"rendered":"What groups are at high-risk for flu complications?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"#symptoms\">Symptoms<\/a> | <a href=\"#complications\">Complications<\/a> | <a href=\"#risks\">Risk factors<\/a> | <a href=\"#howtoavoid\">How to avoid flu complications <\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Currently, the U.S. is experiencing what many have dubbed a \u201ctripledemic\u201d\u2014that is, an uptick in COVID-19, RSV, and flu cases occurring at the same time. Typically, the influenza virus peaks between December and February every year, but occasionally the peak lasts until<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/flu\/about\/season\/flu-season.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">May<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, according to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This year the flu spiked much earlier than usual. What\u2019s more, the 2022-2023 flu season is worse than it\u2019s been in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/health\/2022\/10\/28\/flu-season-2022-cdc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">13 years<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, reports the Washington Post.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThe flu can really hit you hard, causing symptoms like fever and chills, sore throat, and body aches,\u201d says Karen Berger, Pharm.D., a member of the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/author\/karen-berger\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SingleCare Medical Review Board<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Flu symptoms can be more severe if you have chronic medical conditions.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cSerious and life-threatening complications may occur from the flu,\u201d Dr. Berger explains. \u201cOlder adults, pregnant women, and patients with other medical conditions are at an even higher risk for these complications.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"symptoms\">Common flu symptoms<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When should you suspect you have the flu? Common symptoms include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fever and chills<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cough<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sore throat<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Muscle or body aches<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Headaches<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fatigue<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vomiting and diarrhea (though this is more common in children)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">High fever or feeling feverish in<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/flu\/symptoms\/symptoms.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">some people<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Runny or stuffy nose<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you\u2019re feeling miserable, it\u2019s natural to be worried that you\u2019ve caught COVID-19 or RSV. It can be hard to know if your symptoms can be treated at home or if you should visit a healthcare provider. If you think you may have been exposed to coronavirus, call your physician for advice, but many times the treatment for the symptoms above is to stay home until they pass.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>RELATED: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/news\/coronavirus-symptoms-vs-cold-and-flu\/\"><b>Coronavirus vs. the flu vs. a common cold<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you find you\u2019re suffering from the symptoms below, you seek medical attention immediately in an emergency room or call 911:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Difficulty breathing<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chest pain<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Confusion<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Severe or persistent vomiting<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sudden dizziness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Severe neck stiffness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Loss of consciousness\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These could be signs of a life-threatening complication from the flu or another illness.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"complications\">Possible flu complications<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Though most people who get the flu recover in about two weeks, others will experience complications, some of which can be deadly. They include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sinusitis and ear infections<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pneumonia or other lung disease<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inflammation of the heart (myocarditis), brain (encephalitis), or muscle (myositis, rhabdomyolysis)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Respiratory and kidney failure<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sepsis<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The most common flu-related complications are bacterial <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/is-pneumonia-contagious\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pneumonia<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/ear-infection-in-kids\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ear and sinus infections in young children<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Symptoms of pneumonia include serious chest congestion or pain, trouble breathing, a 102-degree fever or higher, and a cough that produces <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/medlineplus.gov\/pneumonia.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">mucus and\/or pus<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What\u2019s more, if you have a chronic medical condition, the flu can exacerbate your baseline medical issues. Those with asthma may have increased respiratory difficulty while sick with the flu, and those with chronic heart disease may find their breathing or extremity swelling gets worse from the flu.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>RELATED: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/conditions\/sinus-infection-treatment-and-medications\"><b>Sinus infection treatments<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"risks\">High-risk groups for flu complications<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are several risk factors that make one more susceptible for flu complications. They include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Age:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> All children less than 5 years of age are considered at high risk of complications, and the risk is higher in those younger than 2 years of age and highest if younger than 6 months of age. On the other end of the spectrum, adults 65 years old or older are also considered at increased risk of complications.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Where you live or work: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Those in dense living or working conditions, such as nursing homes or military barracks, are at increased risk of complications of the flu.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Having a weakened immune system:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Everything from cancer treatments, immunomodulating medications, anti-rejection drugs, long-term use of steroids, being the recipient of an organ transplant, and having blood cancer or HIV\/AIDS can weaken your immune system and make it easier for you to fall ill with the flu and develop complications.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Certain ethnicities:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> American Indians or Alaskan natives are at higher risk of developing complications from the flu.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Having a chronic condition: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, heart disease, neurological or neurodevelopmental disease, an airway abnormality, and kidney, liver or blood disease, and contract the flu you are at higher risk of complications.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Using aspirin under age 19:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> People who are younger than 19 years of age and receiving long-term aspirin therapy are at risk of developing <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/reyes-syndrome\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reye&#8217;s syndrome<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> if infected with seasonal influenza.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Pregnancy:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Expectant mothers are more likely to have complications of the flu because pregnancy is an immunocompromised condition. This risk increases in the second and third trimesters. New mothers are also more likely to develop complications if infected in the two weeks after giving birth.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Obesity:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Those with a body mass index <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhlbi.nih.gov\/health\/educational\/lose_wt\/BMI\/bmicalc.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(BMI)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of 40 or more are at a higher risk of flu<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/flu\/symptoms-causes\/syc-20351719\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">complications<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/T_OVyM7YLgo?rel=0\"\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"howtoavoid\">How to avoid flu complications<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The good news is there are ways to minimize your risk of getting the flu, which decreases the potential for serious complications.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1. Get a flu vaccine.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThe best thing you can do is get your flu shot every year,\u201d says <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Charles_Parks_Richardson\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Charles Parks Richardson<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, MD, a cofounder of Cleveland Heart. \u201cEven if the flu shot doesn\u2019t protect you 100%, if you are exposed to the flu virus, there\u2019s a good chance that the symptoms will be less severe. Getting the flu shot is the absolute best way to prevent [the] flu and its complications, including hospitalizations and death.\u201d A new subtyped flu vaccine is offered every year in the fall. So, your flu vaccine from the fall\/winter before is not sufficient.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And with RSV, COVID-19, and the flu spreading widely, the best way to protect yourself is to get the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/press\/2022-2023-flu-report\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">flu vaccine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and the COVID-19 vaccine series including the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/news\/covid-booster-shot\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">bivalent booster.<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Experts say that you can receive the flu and COVID-19 vaccine at the same time with good effectiveness and no increased post-vaccination discomfort.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>RELATED: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/flu-shot-101\/\"><b>Flu vaccination 101<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2. Stop the spread of germs.\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can stop the spread of germs by handwashing, cover ingyour nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze, and avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Regularly clean and disinfect surfaces like your computer keyboard, phone, faucets, handles, and knobs. And wear a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/media\/releases\/2022\/s0503-covid-19-travel.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">mask in public<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3. Treat your symptoms and boost your immune system.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you get the flu, consider taking antiviral medications, such as Tamiflu. These<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/flu\/treatment\/whatyoushould.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">antivirals<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are physician-prescribed medications that are ideally initiated within 48 hours of symptom onset (but can be started later if the patient is severely ill or hospitalized). These medications may decrease your amount of time ill and decrease or eliminate your risk of flu-related complications.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>RELATED: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/tamiflu-effectiveness\/\"><b>Does Tamiflu work?<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are ways to treat your symptoms to make your recovery more comfortable: Get plenty of rest and fluids. Take over-the-counter medicine like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/ibuprofen\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ibuprofen<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/acetaminophen\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">acetaminophen<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to reduce fever or body aches. Cough suppressants and salt-water gargles treat <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/how-to-get-over-the-flu\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sore throats and cough<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dr. Richardson suggests \u201csupplementing vitamins year-round, but especially during flu season. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/vitamin-c\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vitamin C<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/vitamin-d\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">vitamin D<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/zinc-sulfate\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">zinc<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as well as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/benefits-of-drinking-water\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">keeping hydrated<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are very beneficial.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Symptoms | Complications | Risk factors | How to avoid flu complications Currently, the U.S. is experiencing what many have dubbed a \u201ctripledemic\u201d\u2014that is, an uptick in COVID-19, RSV, and flu cases occurring at the same time. Typically, the influenza virus peaks between December and February every year, but occasionally the peak lasts until May, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":94,"featured_media":56812,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8029],"tags":[11169,8905,11278],"coauthors":[9506],"class_list":["post-15466","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health-education","tag-cold-flu","tag-seasonal","tag-singlecare-for-seniors","wpautop"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.4 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Flu complications: Which groups are high-risk?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Anyone can catch the flu, but certain people have an increased risk of flu complications. 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