Description
Seasonal influenza (flu) is an acute respiratory infection which typically affects 5 to 10% of people in the general community each year, although the rate can be as high as 20%. Contracting the flu can lead to serious complications, particularly among high-risk groups. Older adults who are infected, for example, are at a substantially elevated risk of developing these complications than adults of younger age. Complications can range from respiratory distress to conditions related to ischaemic cardiomyopathy, cerebrovascular disease and exacerbation of diabetes. Influenza infection can also cause hospitalisation and death among high-risk groups. In industrialised countries such as Australia, most deaths associated with influenza occur among individuals who are 65 years of age or older, with mortality rates progressively increasing after the age of 70.