Last year in Canada there were over 12,000 hospitalizations and 3,500 deaths due to the flu.
Age plays a factor. Of those hospitalized, 50-70% were people over the age of 65. Some of these cases resulted in long-term disability.
The flu can lead to other complications. Asthma and bronchitis can result from the flu’s effect on the lungs. Heart problems and ear infections have also been know to occur.
Getting over the flu is not quick. Healthy adults who get the flu may need a couple sick days off to recover from extreme exhaustion. As well, productivity can fall for 2-3 weeks due to fatigue.