Can you die from having the flu?

Answer 1

Can Possibly DieIn some cases, yes. oh no from yours truly

Answer 2

According to the Center for Disease Control (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/us_flu-related_deaths.htm), many influenza deaths in the U.S. and around the world are caused by complications, rather than the virus itself. These generally consist of the development of dangerous secondary infections (staph, streph), illnesses (pneumonia), or the exacerbation of underlying respiratory conditions and heart conditions (chronic pulmonary blockage or Heart disease).

However, it is possible to die simply from influenza itself. In this case, the flu kills you because of dehydration or respiratory failure. Generally this occurs in the very old, the very young, or someone with underlying health problems (though they can also die from complications as noted above). Sadly, as part of the human experience, these are what would be considered "expected" deaths within those Demographics. The real fear is with strains of influenza that kill those outside those demographics, such as the Spanish Flu of 1917-1918. That strain was extremely contagious, and caused acute symptoms in even healthy young people, who would have otherwise fought off the virus (either by not contracting, or experiencing only mild to moderate symptoms).

Answer 3

Usually it will only make you ill for a week to 10 days. It will make you feel sick like a really bad common cold with runny nose, fatigue, malaise, coughing, fever, and headaches. The flu will usually give you a high fever whereas a cold doesn't usually cause a high fever over 100F - 101F.

For the elderly and very young children with immature immune systems, it can cause dehydration and that can lead to very serious problems like electrolyte imbalance and kidney failure. The viral infection attacks the respiratory system and in this population group it can leave the lungs vulnerable to a secondary bacterial infection and respiratory failure. But this is the worst case scenario.

See the related questions below for more information.

Answer 4

Very much so, there are tens of thousands of people killed by influenza, or the complications of influenza, every year in the United States alone. It is estimated that approximately 36,000 people die each year of seasonal flu, mostly the infirm, elderly or very young.

Answer 5

The novel Swine Flu attacks the lungs and respiratory system. The most common cause of death from this lung involvement is viral pneumonia (the lungs fill with fluids, but not blood as suggested in some rumors) with resulting Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). Rough estimates are that 50% of those who end up with ARDS, even though treated in a hospital ICU, will die. A second cause of death is secondary bacterial pneumonia, a third cause is a severe worsening of underlying medical conditions, like heart conditions, chronic lung conditions, asthma, Diabetes, pregnancy, etc.

Some of the secondary critical conditions from each of these causes seen in swine flu, or any flu, are dehydration and electrolyte imbalances (changes in the blood chemistry); sepsis; and Toxic shock syndrome, making treatment and recovery even more difficult.

Early in the Swine Flu 2009 epidemic it was investigated if cytokine storm could be the explanation for the younger age group of those who have died from swine flu. A cytokine storm is an over reaction of the immune system to an invading infection which makes the immune system go haywire and cause more harm than good in the response to the infection. Sometimes this can be a flooding of the lungs to try to remove the virus that results in pneumonia. However, this has not been proven to be the case with swine flu, it is now believed that it actually attacks the tissue of the alveoli of the lungs directly, contributing to the ARDS and respiratory failure. More studies are on-going.

Answer 6

Can Possibly DieIn some cases, yes. oh no from yours truly

Answer 7

Yes, in the US approximately 36,000 people die each year from the seasonal flu. Get your vaccination!

Answer 8

The flu is not normally fatal, but it can be quite dangerous, particularly for older people.