People more prone to severe flu complications include young children (under 5), older adults (65+), pregnant women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and those with chronic health conditions like heart disease, asthma, diabetes, weakened immune systems, or obesity, as well as those in long-term care. These groups face a higher risk of serious illness, hospitalisation, and death from the flu virus, according to sources like the CDC, Mayo Clinic, and Australian health bodies.
Anyone can catch 'flu; the highest rates of infection are usually in school age children. Most influenza infections occur during the winter months. The severity of illness occurring each year varies, depending on the particular strain that is circulating. Some influenza viruses cause more severe illness than others.
Seasonal influenza poses a greater risk of severe illness for:
Weakened immune system
An immune system that doesn't quickly clear out flu virus may raise the risk of getting the flu or getting flu complications. People may have a weakened immune system response from birth, due to illness, or due to disease treatment or medicine.
Flu vaccines are available for everyone aged 65 and over, under 65s in clinical risk groups, pregnant women, care home residents and carers, close contacts of those who are immunosuppressed, frontline social care workers, and health and social care staff as well as children.
Children younger than 18 are most likely to get sick, and people 65 and older are least likely to get sick from the flu.
Even if you try your best to stay healthy when someone in the house has the flu, there's still a chance that you'll become infected. The flu causes symptoms that range from mild to severe, and if you live with certain medical conditions such as heart disease, getting the flu can increase your risk of complications.
“Researchers are exploring why some people are more susceptible to cold and flu viruses. While we don't have all the answers, we believe that your environment, genetics and immune system play a key role in determining your risk for these illnesses.”
Airborne illnesses: Cold and Flu, Chicken Pox, Meningitis
Respiratory illnesses typically spread when we inhale droplets expelled into the air by an infected person's cough or sneeze, even by speaking. But these germs also spread by poor hand hygiene.
Risk groups for influenza-related complications
One type of flu virus, called A H3N2, historically has caused the most hospitalizations and deaths in older people.
Flu takes one to four days to incubate in your system after you come into contact with the virus. You have the potential to spread flu before symptom appear. You are contagious for about three to seven days after symptoms appear.
The same CID study found that children are most likely to get sick from flu and that people 65 and older are least likely to get sick from flu. Median incidence values (or attack rate) by age group were 9.3% for children 0-17 years, 8.8% for adults 18-64 years, and 3.9% for adults 65 years and older.
The CDC estimates that about 70-85 percent of flu-related deaths occur in adults 65 years and older. Residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities are also at higher risk. Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old, are at higher risk of complications from flu illness.
People with suspected or confirmed flu, who do not have a fever, should stay home from work at least 5 days after the onset of symptoms.
These tips will help you learn about actions you can take to protect yourself and others from flu and help stop the spread of germs.
Shower hydrotherapy. Real flu prevention can start in the morning shower. A German study in 1990 used a method that led to 50% decrease in colds and flu of those who participate.
What are some common infectious diseases that can result from poor hygiene? Athlete's Foot, body lice, head lice, choric diarrhoea, dental caries, skin diseases, and ringworm are the most common infections.
Five signs of a weak immune system include frequent infections, slow-healing wounds, persistent fatigue, ongoing digestive issues, and getting sick with things that last a long time, like a cold that lingers or severe infections requiring strong treatment. These indicate your body struggles to fight off pathogens or repair itself effectively.
Yes, you can be around someone with the flu and not get it, but the risk is high, as the flu spreads easily through airborne droplets from coughs/sneezes or touching contaminated surfaces, so practicing strict hygiene, social distancing (if possible), wearing a mask, and getting vaccinated are crucial to avoid infection. Even with precautions, infection is possible, but diligent handwashing, avoiding touching your face, and disinfecting surfaces significantly reduce your chances.
If you have a severe infection or are at high risk of complications from a flu infection, your healthcare professional may prescribe an antiviral medicine to treat the flu. These medicines can include oseltamivir (Tamiflu), baloxavir (Xofluza) and zanamivir (Relenza). You take oseltamivir and baloxavir by mouth.
Recommended Time to Stay Home When You're Ill
You can go back to your normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, both are true: Your symptoms are getting better overall, and. You have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).
Influenza viruses can be detected in most infected persons beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to five to seven days after becoming sick. People with flu are most contagious during the first three days of their illness.
Survival on soft surfaces (e.g., clothing, bed sheets, pillows, upholstery): The virus typically survives for a shorter time on fabrics and porous surfaces—around 8–12 hours.