Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAnnual Flu DeathsWhen Is It Fatal?Who’s at Risk?PreparationTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Annual Flu Deaths
When Is It Fatal?
Who’s at Risk?
Preparation
Treatment
Influenza, commonly known as “the flu,” is a virus that affects millions of people in the United States each year. Most people recover after a short bout of illness. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that between 1999 and 2022, 1.8 of every 100,000 people in the U.S. who got the flu died from it.
The severity of the flu, and its subsequent impact, changes from year to year. Older people, young children, pregnant people, and people with certain underlying health conditions are at a higher risk of complications from the flu.
This article provides flu mortality rates and discusses the warning signs, risk factors, and treatments for the flu.
Annual flu deaths vary from year to year. Between 2010 and 2023, yearly flu deaths have been as low as 4,900 and as high as 51,000.A number of factors contribute to the variation, including:
How It’s Spread
If you’ve ever been outside when it’s so cold that you can see your breath, this will help you visualize how the flu is spread. It typically appears as a concentrated cloud that travels about 6 feet from your body before it dissipates. The droplets are more concentrated closest to the body and become less concentrated as they move away.
This is why the CDC recommends that sick people stay home and not have contact with others—or maintain at least a 6 foot distance when in necessary contact—to reduce the risk of spread.
Causes and Risk Factors of the Flu
Flu Contagious Period
The flu can be spread one day beforesymptomsstart and up to 5-7 days thereafter in people with a healthy immune system. It’s most contagious in the first 3-4 days after the illness begins.
People with a weakened immune system or young children may be able to spread it longer, since their bodies are not as well-equipped to fight off a virus.
How Long Is the Flu Contagious?
Asymptomatic SpreadIt’s possible for people who areasymptomatic, meaning they have no symptoms at all, to spread the flu.
Asymptomatic Spread
It’s possible for people who areasymptomatic, meaning they have no symptoms at all, to spread the flu.
When Is Influenza Fatal?
Although most people will recover from the flu within about two weeks or less, complications of the flu can cause influenza to become fatal. Complications of the flu include:
The flu can also make certain chronic medical conditions worse, leading to increased risk for complications and death.
Recognizing the warning signs of the flu will help you to know when it’s time to seek medical treatment. The CDC provides the following warning signs of the flu in children and adults:
Young children may see these additional signs:
People most at risk for flu complications include:
Talk to your healthcare provider about any concerns you have about your risk for the flu and what you can do to protect yourself.
Groups at High Risk for Dangerous Flu Complications
Preparing for Flu Season
The influenza virus mutates (changes) each year. This evolving virus requires a new version of the vaccine each year to work against it.
Getting aflu vaccineis the most effective way toprepare yourselffor flu season.
Benefits of Flu VaccinationA 2021 study found that adults who had received the flu vaccine and were hospitalized for flu were 26% less likely to be admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) than those who hadn’t received the flu vaccine. The same study reported that people who were vaccinated and hospitalized for flu-related illness were 31% less likely to die from flu-related illness than those who were unvaccinated.
Benefits of Flu Vaccination
A 2021 study found that adults who had received the flu vaccine and were hospitalized for flu were 26% less likely to be admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) than those who hadn’t received the flu vaccine. The same study reported that people who were vaccinated and hospitalized for flu-related illness were 31% less likely to die from flu-related illness than those who were unvaccinated.
Additional steps to help you prepare for flu season include:
Verywell / Ellen Lindner
Flu Treatment
Summary
Unfortunately, the flu can be deadly, especially for those in high-risk groups such as older adults and people with chronic health conditions. But in the majority of cases, the flu is not deadly. Understanding how the flu virus is spread is the first step in understanding how to protect yourself from it. Getting your annual flu vaccine is the best measure of protection. Adding in additional precautions such as regular hand washing and avoiding people who are sick will help to keep you safe and healthy.
A Word From Verywell
It’s valid to be scared of getting the flu and wondering what might happen if you do. Talk to your healthcare provider about your concerns, especially if you fall into a high risk category. Fortunately, you now know the major warning signs to look for and that early treatment within the first one or two days can treat the flu.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Influenza.Ghebrehewet S, MacPherson P, Ho A.Influenza.BMJ. 2016;355:i6258. doi:10.1136/bmj.i6258Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Disease burden of flu.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How flu spreads.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Flu symptoms & complications.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Flu: what to do if you get sick.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.People at higher risk of flu complications.Ferdinands JM, Thompson MG, Blanton L, Spencer S, Grant L, Fry AM.Does influenza vaccination attenuate the severity of breakthrough infections? a narrative review and recommendations for further research.Vaccine.2021;39(28):3678-3695. doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.05.011Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventive steps.Moghadami M.A narrative review of influenza: a seasonal and pandemic disease.Iran J Med Sci. 2017;42(1):2-13.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Influenza.Ghebrehewet S, MacPherson P, Ho A.Influenza.BMJ. 2016;355:i6258. doi:10.1136/bmj.i6258Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Disease burden of flu.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How flu spreads.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Flu symptoms & complications.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Flu: what to do if you get sick.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.People at higher risk of flu complications.Ferdinands JM, Thompson MG, Blanton L, Spencer S, Grant L, Fry AM.Does influenza vaccination attenuate the severity of breakthrough infections? a narrative review and recommendations for further research.Vaccine.2021;39(28):3678-3695. doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.05.011Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventive steps.Moghadami M.A narrative review of influenza: a seasonal and pandemic disease.Iran J Med Sci. 2017;42(1):2-13.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Influenza.Ghebrehewet S, MacPherson P, Ho A.Influenza.BMJ. 2016;355:i6258. doi:10.1136/bmj.i6258Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Disease burden of flu.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How flu spreads.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Flu symptoms & complications.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Flu: what to do if you get sick.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.People at higher risk of flu complications.Ferdinands JM, Thompson MG, Blanton L, Spencer S, Grant L, Fry AM.Does influenza vaccination attenuate the severity of breakthrough infections? a narrative review and recommendations for further research.Vaccine.2021;39(28):3678-3695. doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.05.011Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventive steps.Moghadami M.A narrative review of influenza: a seasonal and pandemic disease.Iran J Med Sci. 2017;42(1):2-13.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Influenza.
Ghebrehewet S, MacPherson P, Ho A.Influenza.BMJ. 2016;355:i6258. doi:10.1136/bmj.i6258
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Disease burden of flu.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How flu spreads.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Flu symptoms & complications.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Flu: what to do if you get sick.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.People at higher risk of flu complications.
Ferdinands JM, Thompson MG, Blanton L, Spencer S, Grant L, Fry AM.Does influenza vaccination attenuate the severity of breakthrough infections? a narrative review and recommendations for further research.Vaccine.2021;39(28):3678-3695. doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.05.011
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventive steps.
Moghadami M.A narrative review of influenza: a seasonal and pandemic disease.Iran J Med Sci. 2017;42(1):2-13.
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