Influenza or flu is a respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It is a highly contagious disease that can spread quickly from person to person through coughing and sneezing. Flu can cause mild to severe illness and may even lead to death.

Every year, influenza causes millions of illnesses, hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations, and tens of thousands of deaths in the United States alone.

As per the reports, influenza kills an estimated 290,000 to 650,000 people worldwide each year.

In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that influenza has resulted in between 9 million – 45 million illnesses, between 140,000 – 810,000 hospitalizations and between 12,000 – 61,000 deaths annually since 2010.

Flu deaths by age group

The virus can kill anyone, but some age groups are more vulnerable than others. According to data from the CDC, in recent years, approximately 70% to 85% of seasonal flu-related deaths have occurred in people 65 years and older.

Young children, pregnant women, and individuals with underlying health conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease, are also at increased risk for serious flu-related complications.

Furthermore, CDC research shows that flu can cause severe illness or death in some people with weakened immune systems, including people with cancer and HIV.

Flu deaths in 2020

As of now, the world is currently experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic, but let’s not forget the flu continues to affect millions each year.

As per CDC, there were 196 pediatric deaths attributed to influenza during the 2020 flu season in the United States.

According to data from the WHO, as of 28 April 2020, there have been 186,904 laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated deaths reported worldwide for this flu season.

Preventing Flu and Flu deaths

Even though there is no 100% guarantee to avoid or prevent the flu, there are ways to protect yourself and those around you:.

1. Get Vaccinated : Annual influenza vaccination is the most effective way to prevent the flu and its complications. The CDC recommends getting vaccinated every year for anyone six months of age or older who doesn’t have a contraindication.

2. Wash your hands: Regular hand washing with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer can help prevent the spread of germs and lower the risk of getting sick.

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3. Avoid close contact with sick people: Stay away from people who are sick or have flu-like symptoms, and avoid close contact such as kissing, hugging, or shaking hands with people who are sick.

4. Cover your mouth and nose: Use a tissue or your upper sleeve when you cough or sneeze, and throw used tissue in the trash immediately.

5. Stay home when sick: If you have flu-like symptoms, stay home from work or school to avoid spreading the virus to others.

How does Influenza cause death?

Although most people recover from the flu without complications, flu can be life-threatening to some people. Influenza-related deaths can result from several different causes, including:.

Pneumonia: Influenza can lead to bacterial or viral pneumonia. Pneumonia is a severe lung infection that can cause death, especially among older adults with weakened immune systems.

Organ failure: In rare cases, influenza can cause organ failure, leading to death.

Secondary infections: People with flu can develop secondary infections, such as bronchitis, ear infections, sinusitis, or bacterial pneumonia, that can be serious and even fatal.

Flu complications: Influenza can lead to other complications, such as heart attacks, strokes, or inflammation of the heart, which can be fatal in some cases.

Conclusion

Influenza is a potentially life-threatening disease that can spread rapidly and cause severe illness or even death.

Every year, millions of people are affected by flu, and hundreds of thousands are hospitalized, leading to tens of thousands of deaths in the United States alone.

While vaccination is the most effective way to prevent flu, other preventive measures, such as hand washing, covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing, avoiding close contact with sick people, and staying home when sick, can lower the risk of infection and severe complications.

Ultimately, it’s essential to be aware of the symptoms of the flu and seek medical care if necessary to prevent the disease from causing severe complications or even death.