Flu facts
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines the flu as a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. [1]
Below are some basic facts about the flu, courtesy of the CDC.
- It is estimated that between 5 percent and 20 percent of the population gets the flu each year.
- More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu-related complications each year.
- Every year, about 36,000 people die from flu-related causes.
- Flu viruses are thought to spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza.
- The single best way to prevent influenza is to get the flu vaccine annually.
- Yearly flu vaccination should begin as soon as vaccine is available, and continue throughout the influenza season.
- Influenza kills two to three times more Americans then HIV/AIDS.[2]
- Influenza kills more Americans then breast cancer.[3]
- 83 percent of the population falls into one or more risk groups that are recommended to receive seasonal influenza vaccine.[4]
[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Key Facts About Seasonal Influenza (Flu). http://www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm. Accessed August 19, 2009.
[2] HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report: HIV Infection and AIDS in the United States and Dependent Areas, 2005 http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/surveillance/.
[3] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Breast Cancer Statistics. http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/statistics/.
[4] Reuters, “First Defense Against Swine Flu – Seasonal Vaccine.” http://www.reuters.com/article/asiaCrisis/idUSN24480490.