Who is at risk of severe Flu?

According to the CDC, individuals with the following risk factors are at an increased risk of getting severe flu and flu-related complications such as pneumonia and respiratory failure:

• Asthma
• Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
• Kidney transplant recipients
• Individuals undergoing dialysis treatment
• Neurologic and neurodevelopment conditions
• Blood disorders (e.g., sickle cell disease)
• Chronic lung disease (e.g., COPD, cystic fibrosis)
• Endocrine disorders (e.g., diabetes mellitus)
• Heart disease (e.g., congenital heart disease, CHF)
• Liver disorders
• Metabolic disorders (e.g., inherited/metabolic disorders)
• Obesity (BMI ≥ 40)
• Weakened immune system due to disease or medications
• Stroke
• Certain disabilities (muscle/lung function, swallowing)

If you have any of the above medical conditions, you should seek expert care if you have flu.

Signs of severe flu may include:

• Difficulty breathing
• Persistent cough
• Chest pain
• Bluish discoloration of lips
• Inability to complete sentences
• Inability to lie down