Severe illness as a result of influenza can happen to anyone at any age, but some people are at higher risk of developing serious flu-related complications if they get sick¹.

Severe illness as a result of influenza can happen to anyone at any age, but some people are at higher risk of developing serious flu-related complications if they get sick¹.

Seasonal flu results in between 6 000 and 11 000 people in South Africa dying as a result of flu complications every year². With flu season upon us, the flu vaccine is now available and is the best way to prevent the flu³.

Immune systems decrease as we age, and older adults are at higher risk of serious flu and flu-related complications, including pneumonia. Flu also increases the risk of heart attack by three to five times and stroke by two to three times in the first two weeks of infection for those older than 65, with the risk remaining elevated for several months. All of these factors means that for someone over the age of 65, they are six times more at risk of dying from flu and related complications. Getting the influenza vaccine can lower these risks, as well as lower the risk of heart attack and stroke⁴.

Even in adults younger than 65, heart disease is a known risk factor for developing serious flu complications. In fact,  amongst adults hospitalised with flu, as many has fifty percent  have heart disease. A growing body of research also suggests that the influenza virus infection itself could put people at increased risk for acute cardiovascular events, including heart attack and stroke⁵.

During pregnancy, it is harder for a woman's immune system to fight infections which makes a pregnant woman more likely to contract influenza and become ill.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers pregnant women at a higher risk of getting the flu and developing flu-related complications. The flu vaccine can prevent severe cases of the flu that can harm mother and baby⁶.

HIV affects the body's immune system, making it more difficult to fight infections such as the flu virus. People with HIV are more  likely to develop complications such as pneumonia when they contract flu⁷.

Flu vaccines are particularly important for people with HIV.

The flu vaccination can reduce the risk of developing serious flu complications and help reduce the need for hospitalisation among people with HIV⁸.

Contracting the flu can put stress on the body which can also cause blood sugar levels to spike, with persistently increased blood sugars affecting the immune system and increasing the frequency of flu infections. It is because of this that patients with diabetes are at higher risk of serious influenza-related complications, including bronchitis, worsening of chronic heart disease, pneumonia, and sinus and ear infections⁹.

People with diabetes frequently have other chronic diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension and renal disease, which put them at an elevated risk for influenza-related complications or hospitalisation. It is therefore recommended that allindividuals with diabetes should get the flu vaccine annually⁹.

For those people who suffer from asthma, the flu can affect their lungs and cause inflammation and narrowing of  airways. These changes can trigger or worsen asthma symptoms, such as cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. People with asthma are also at a higher risk of developing complications from the flu, such as pneumonia. Ideally, whole families should get an annual flu vaccination to protect family members who have asthma¹⁰.

Flu can cause serious illness and complications in young children¹¹, especially those aged two and under, and children with medical conditions and whose immune systems are weakened¹².  When a child gets the flu vaccine,  the body develops antibodies that help it fight against the flu virus. The flu vaccine is suitable and safe for children over six months of age¹².

The flu vaccine is a simple and effective way to protect everyone from the flu³. Flu vaccinations are currently available at most healthcare providers, pharmacies and clinics in South Africa. For more information, go to https://prevent-flu.co.za/.

This post and content is sponsored, written and produced by Influvac.