Some people can have life threatening complications. Influenza can be severe or even fatal if a person is not in good health to begin with. The body and its defences can also become so weakened by influenza that other infections can occur. Pneumonia, sinusitis, airway or inner ear infection may occur. Rare and sometimes fatal problems include inflammation of the brain and nervous system and kidneys.
Influenza can also worsen other problems such as diabetes, chronic bronchitis or heart failure.
Bed rest helps muscle aches and pains and paracetamol helps lower fever. A drug called Amantadine TM can be given to those with severe symptoms. It has side- effects. Some complications require antibiotics. People with chronic lung disease are often given antibiotics the moment flu is diagnosed to prevent the other infections.