Complications from influenza

Complications usually occur in extreme age and in people weakened by diseases people.

What are the complications to be feared?

They are most often caused by a bacterial infection (pneumonia, bronchitis, sinusitis, otitis media is common in children)

A fatal complication can also occur if the patient already has a pre-existing lung disease such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, ...

Other complications are rare neurological complications, cardiac complications, pulmonary complications (the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome or ARDS), complications triggered by the decision Acetylsalicylic (Aspirin) during the flu (Reye's syndrome) .

People at risk

Everyone can be achieved by the flu, but in general, people with weak immune defense more easily develop the disease.

Most at risk are:

children, especially the very young who are community (school, nursery)

the elderly, whose natural defense is already weakened

pregnant women especially during the second trimester of pregnancy

People with AIDS or who have kidney or liver, cardiovascular or pulmonary disorders, severe anemia

dialysis patients, diabetics

health professionals (due to exposure).

people taking medications that decrease the immune defense (chemotherapy, transplantation, prolonged antibiotic therapy, ...)