For healthy children and adults, influenza is typically a moderate to severe illness. Major symptoms usually are better within a week. Severe complications may occur in people who are elderly, frail or have chronic health problems such as diabetes, asthma, heart or lung problems, occasionally resulting in death. Pregnant women who get the flu during their second or third trimester of pregnancy have an increased risk of complications. Anyone can get the flu, even if you had the flu or the flu vaccine last year.
Children commonly get the flu and infect other family members.
Adults can also transmit the infection to others in the family and at the workplace. Influenza vaccine protects people from serious complications which can lead to hospitalization. When children take aspirin and have a viral infection, they are at greater risk of developing Reye Syndrome. Pregnant women with chronic medical problems should be immunized regardless of what trimester they will be in during flu season. The strains included in the vaccine are chosen based on the strains of influenza most likely to cause disease each year.