7 Signs Your Flu Is Way More Serious Than You Think

By: Anita Fernandes

The flu is generally a minor health issue that clears up in less than a week. But sometimes serious complications arise that you need to be aware of.

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The flu is a common problem that affects children and adults alike. In most cases, this is a temporary problem that clears up within days and has no lasting impact on our health.

Flu viruses are most common during the fall and in winter. Flu season begins in October and ends in May with the peak period being December to February.

Every year, there are approximately 300,000 flu-related hospitalizations along with 20,000 to 30,000 flu-related deaths in the United States. A large number of these deaths are linked to complications that could have been avoided if they were detected in time, which is why you should be able to recognize the signs of flu complications.

Related article: Cold and Flu 101: What You Need to Know

For most healthy adults, a bout of the flu simply means a few days off from studies or work. However, there are times when even the simple flu can turn deadly as it can cause complications and secondary infections.