People at High Risk for Flu Complications

People at High Risk for Flu Complications                       Home

Influenza (also known as the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by flu viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death.

According (CDC, 2016). Factors that may increase your risk of developing influenza or its complications include:


 *  Age
• Asthma
• Neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions
• Blood disorders (such as sickle cell disease)
• Chronic lung disease (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cystic fibrosis)
• Endocrine disorders (such as diabetes mellitus)
• Heart disease (such as congenital heart disease, congestive heart failure, and coronary artery disease)
• Kidney disorders
• Liver disorders
• Metabolic disorders (such as inherited metabolic disorders and mitochondrial disorders)
• Extreme obesity (with a body mass index [BMI] of 40 or more)
• People younger than 19 years of age on long-term aspirin therapy
• Weakened immune system due to disease or medication (such as people with HIV or AIDS, or cancer, or those on chronic steroids) 

Other people at high risk from the flu:
• Adults 65 years and older
• Children younger than 5 years old, but especially children younger than 2 years old
• Pregnant women and women up to 2 weeks after the end of pregnancy
• American Indians and Alaska Natives


Read More: 
- Cold or Flu
- flu Symptoms 
- What is H1N1

References:
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/habits.htm.