Flu causes most people to be ill for only a few days. When you're sick with the flu, it can seem like a lot longer, though. A few people have a much more serious illness and may need to be hospitalized. Thousands of people die each year from flu-related illnesses. Most deaths caused by flu are in elderly people.
Flu affects people who are at high risk more severely.
One risk factor is being over 65. If you are over 65 and one of the other risk factors applies as well, you run a greater chance of going to the hospital or dying if you get flu. Get your flu shot in the Autumn Flu season is traditionally counted from the first of October through the end of March. The best time to get the flu vaccine is in September, when the vaccine is usually available. Immunity from the flu shot only lasts about a year and flu viruses change over time so last year's vaccine doesn't apply to the current year.