Staying Healthy This Flu Season

Catching the flu bug can make for a miserable time. It brings a runny nose, scratchy throat, fever, pounding headache and, worst of all, yucky flu medicine.

But for thousands of Americans, the flu virus brings more than a few miserable days in bed: it has the potential to become life-threatening.

The Flu

Influenza (the flu) is a serious respiratory illness caused by a number of different influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and in some cases can result in death. Symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, muscle aches, vomiting, dry cough, sore throat, runny nose and diarrhea. In the United States, flu season begins in late August and runs through April. It is during this time that most people get sick.

According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, an estimated 98 million Americans get sick with the flu every year. Of those, 200,000 are hospitalized, with roughly 36,000 flu-related deaths. The flu virus is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States.

Older people, young children, and persons with specific health conditions are at high-risk for serious flu complications.

Flu and Healthcare Costs

Over 200,000 Americans are hospitalized due to the flu every year, but not all of them are covered with a proper health insurance policy. Without health insurance, a routine visit to the doctor's office can cost hundreds of dollars. If someone is hospitalized for flu-like symptoms without health insurance, the cost could run into the thousands.

FluFacts.com estimates that missed work days, decreased productivity, and medical costs result in an annual cost of between $71 and $167 billion every year. Medicare reimbursements range from $750 million to $1 billion annually.

Tips to Stay Flu-Free

When it comes to beating the flu, prevention is the best cure. Here are some tips that can help keep you flu-free:

  • Avoid contact with people who are sick.
  • Wash your hands often to protect against germs, especially before eating. If you don't have access to soap and water, use alcohol-based hand cleaners.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, mouth or nose, especially while in public areas.
  • Get a yearly flu vaccine, especially if you are at high-risk for flu complications. A flu vaccine protects against the most common flu viruses.

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