In today's world, it seems impossible to die from the flu or a cold. We are accustomed to perceiving coughs, sore throats, and fevers as normal seasonal phenomena, especially in winter. However, sadly, hundreds of thousands of people die from the flu every year all over the world. According to the World Health Organization, this figure is between 300,000 and 650,000. The flu is especially dangerous for children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. Why does this seemingly familiar virus continue to kill people despite the achievements of modern medicine?
Flu Can Cause Complications That Lead to Death
Contents
- 1 The Most Serious Complications of Flu
- 1.1 Pneumonia Due to Flu
- 1.2 How Flu Affects the Heart
- 1.3 Flu Can Damage the Brain
- 1.4 Blood Poisoning from Flu
- 2 Who Can Die from Flu
The Most Severe Complications of Flu
When a person has the flu, they are plagued by coughing, fever, and many other severe symptoms. This is not a common cold — real flu can last for weeks. It is a serious danger not only in itself, but also because of the possible complications it causes in the lungs and other organs. Complications, in turn, arise due to improper treatment and the weakness of the human body. A specialist in this disease told Live Science about the complications of influenza.
Pneumonia due to influenza
One of the most common and serious complications of influenza is pneumonia.
When the virus enters the lungs, it causes inflammation of the alveoli— small air sacs that are responsible for oxygenating the blood. As a result, the alveoli can fill with pus, making breathing difficult and causing a painful cough.
The alveoli of the lungs. Image source: Science Alert
There are two main types of pneumonia associated with the flu: viral and bacterial. Viral pneumoniaoccurs when the flu virus itself directly attacks the lungs. However, the flu also weakens the cells lining the airways, making them more vulnerable to bacteria. These bacteria, which are normally found in the upper airways and cause no problems, can begin to multiply rapidly and invade the lungs, leading to bacterial pneumonia.
Bacterial pneumonia is treated with antibiotics. Image source: stock.adobe.com
In severe cases, pneumonia can develop into Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). This is a condition in which the lungs fill with fluid, become inflexible, and cannot function normally, making breathing very difficult. Without timely treatment, such complications can be fatal, especially for people with weakened immune systems.
Read also: Why do people need air and how do the lungs work?
How does the flu affect the heart
Flu can harm not only the lungs, but also the heart. One possible complication is myocarditis— inflammation of the heart muscle. The flu virus can attack the cells lining the blood vessels, causing inflammation and reducing the heart's ability to pump blood effectively. This can cause life-threatening abnormal heart rhythms.
Flu can cause serious damage to the heart. Image source: artstation.com
Flu can also cause pericarditis— inflammation of the membrane surrounding the heart. Although the exact causes of this complication are not fully understood, it is known that it often develops after viral infections, which flu is.
Flu can damage the brain
In some very rare cases, flu can cause another serious complication — encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain tissue. It is a dangerous condition that can lead to serious consequences, including seizures, coma, and even death. Although encephalitis is uncommon, it is especially dangerous for young children.
The flu can even affect the brain, which is especially dangerous. Image source: reddit.com
Scientists do not yet fully understand how exactly the flu causes brain inflammation. One of the main theories suggests that in response to infection, the body begins to actively produce cytokines – substances that cause inflammation. If the brain's protective barrier is weakened, these substances can penetrate the brain and cause inflammation. However, the exact mechanisms of this process are still unclear.
Read also:The human brain grows with each generation, and this is a good sign for young people
Blood poisoning from influenza
Influenza can cause a deadly blood poisoning called sepsis. This condition usually occurs due to bacteria that enter the blood through tissue damaged by the virus. The risk of developing sepsis is especially high if the flu is complicated by pneumonia.
Human blood cells. Image source: mdpi.com
Although sepsis is a rare complication, it can lead to death if treatment is not started promptly.
Who can die from the flu
The risk of dying from the flu is especially high among the elderly, young children, pregnant women, and those suffering from chronic diseases. One of the main reasons for this is the state of their immune system.
As people age, their immune systems weaken as they age, which is part of natural aging. As they age, their bodies become less able to fight off infections. In pregnant women, the immune system temporarily reduces its activity to protect the growing fetus, which also makes them vulnerable to complications from the flu.
Older people, pregnant people, and children should avoid the flu at all costs. Image source: Reddit
Young children are at risk because their immune systems are not yet familiar with many infections, including the flu virus. As a result, a child’s body responds more slowly to the infection, giving the virus more time to multiply before the immune system begins to fight it.
Chronic diseases such as asthma, kidney disease, cancer, or HIV also weaken the body, making it less able to cope with the virus. Influenza can not only cause complications, but also worsen the course of these diseases, which significantly increases the risk of death.
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However, there is good news: flu shots can reduce the risk of severe infections, and medications can reduce the likelihood of complications if treatment is started on time. It is worth noting that it is better not to eat grapefruit while taking medication – here is the explanation.