Seasonal ("normal") influenza virus is a highly infectious virus that spreads easily from person to person, primarily when an infected individual coughs or sneezes. Influenza virus circulates in the winter months, and the clinical illness generally begins with the sudden onset of fever associated with symptoms including aches, fatigue, and headaches. These initial symptoms last approximately 3 days, but the fever can persist for up to a week. Respiratory signs, such as sore throat and cough, may also last several days beyond the initial symptoms.¹

Up to one in five people in the United States get this serious respiratory illness every season. Complications of influenza can include bacterial pneumonia, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, and congestive heart failure. Complications of influenza can include bacterial pneumonia, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as asthma, diabetes and congestive heart failure. The influenza virus and its serious complications result in approximately 226,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths each year. Combined with pneumonia, influenza is the 7th leading cause of death in the U.S.²

The best way to prevent influenza is through an annual vaccination.² Vaccination against influenza provides both effective prevention of the disease as well as a 50 to 80% reduction in risk of serious complication or death for people at risk.¹