Flu complications: When to seek medical advice

You may think of the flu as pretty harmless. Most of the time, it is. People typically recover after about a week without any lasting problems, but sometimes the flu can lead to serious complications.

According to the NHS in the UK around 600 people a year die from seasonal flu. This rises to around 13,000 during an epidemic.

Infants, the elderly, and people with certain diseases or weakened immune systems are the most vulnerable, but a flu complication can happen to anyone. Since the flu can be dangerous, it's important to know the signs of trouble.

Flu symptoms and treatment

Different strains of the influenza virus cause the flu. You get the flu by either inhaling the germ or picking it up on your hands and then touching your eyes or mouth. Symptoms usually appear one to four days later.

The flu is sometimes hard to tell apart from a cold. But the flu usually comes on faster and is more severe. Also, keep in mind that a so-called ‘stomach flu’ is not the same as influenza. The flu very rarely causes stomach or intestinal problems.

Symptoms of the flu include:

• Congestion
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Fever
• Chills
• Headache
• Muscle and body aches

You will probably feel better after a week or so. You may still have a few symptoms - like cough, fatigue and weakness - for longer than this.

Although flu vaccines can prevent certain strains of the flu, there's not much you can do after you are infected with it. If taken within 48 hours of getting the virus, drugs like oseltamivir and zanamivir may reduce some of the symptoms. To ease flu symptoms, you can also:

• Take over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen or paracetamol (to relieve body aches and headache).
• Take over-the-counter antihistamines and decongestants to help with congestion.
• Drink lots of fluids.
• Get plenty of rest.

Keep in mind that antibiotics will not help treat the flu. Antibiotics only work against bacteria and the flu is caused by a virus.

Who's at risk of a flu complication?

Usually, you don't need to see the doctor if you get the flu. Your body will fight off the virus on its own. However, sometimes you -- or a family member -- may face a flu complication. Some groups are at special risk for complications from the flu, which can lead to emergency hospital admission. They include:

• Newborns and children up to 5 years old
• People over 65
• Pregnant women
• People who live in long-term care facilities
• Caregivers of children or the ill
• People with chronic diseases
• People who have depressed immune systems, either from disease or its treatment

Complications that can lead to a flu emergency

The flu can sometimes weaken the lungs, making it easier for a bacterial infection to take hold. The bacteria can cause:

• Pneumonia, an infection of the lungs, which is one of the most serious complications of the flu. Untreated, it can be life threatening.
• Bronchitis, an infection of the airways
• Sinusitis, a bacterial infection of the sinuses