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Complications
By Mayo Clinic staffIf you're young and healthy, seasonal influenza usually isn't serious. Although you may feel miserable while you have it, the flu usually goes away with no lasting effects. But high-risk children and adults may develop complications such as:
- Pneumonia
- Bronchitis
- Sinus infections
- Ear infections
Pneumonia is the most common and most serious. For older adults and people with a chronic illness, pneumonia can be deadly. The best protection is vaccination against both pneumococcal pneumonia and influenza.
- Key facts about seasonal flu. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm. Accessed July 16, 2011.
- Cold versus flu. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/coldflu.htm. Accessed July 16, 2011.
- People at high risk of developing flu-related complications. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/high_risk.htm. Accessed July 16, 2011.
- Fort GG. Influenza. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2011: Instant Diagnosis and Treatment. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2011. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..C2009-0-38600-6--TOP&isbn=978-0-323-05610-6&about=true&uniqId=230100505-53. Accessed July 16, 2011.
- What you should know about flu antiviral drugs. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/antivirals/whatyoushould.htm. Accessed July 16, 2011.
- Tang JW, et al. Emerging, Novel, and Known Influenza Virus Infections in Humans. Infectious Disease Clinics of North America. 2010;24:603.
- The flu: Caring for someone sick at home. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/homecare/. Accessed July 16, 2011.
- Preventing the flu: Good health habits can help stop germs. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/habits.htm. Accessed July 16, 2011.
- The flu: What to do if you get sick. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/takingcare.htm. Accessed July 16, 2011.
- Steckelberg JM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. July 25, 2011.
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