Influenza — it’s not “just the flu.” How to protect yourself from this annual onslaught
Although most patients recover from a bout of the flu without treatment, thousands of Americans die from it each year. Influenza is a serious infection — but it can be prevented and treated, reports the October 2008 issue of Harvard Men's Health Watch.
In the United States, the flu season runs roughly from Thanksgiving to Easter. In a typical year, up to 10% of Americans get the flu, over 200,000 are sick enough to require hospitalization, and about 36,000 die from the infection. This toll can double during epidemics, which occur every 10 to 15 years.
To continue reading this article, you must log in.
Subscribe to Harvard Health Online for immediate access to health news and information from Harvard Medical School.
- Research health conditions
- Check your symptoms
- Prepare for a doctor's visit or test
- Find the best treatments and procedures for you
- Explore options for better nutrition and exercise
I'd like to receive access to Harvard Health Online for only $4.99 a month.
Sign Me UpAlready a member? Login ».
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.