Complications+-+Rebecca

There are many complications of the flu. Some of teh complications are:

1. Pneumonia: A lung infection
 * Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs most commonly caused by a bacteria or virus. Pneumonia can also be caused by inhaling vomit or other viruses. Your lungs are filled with "junk" like mucus and pus. Oxygen cannot get through your body.

2. Bronchitis:A bacterial infection in your lungs.
 * causes by a virus or smoking or breathing in certain chemicals.

3. Death

Many other complications include: - heart failure, asthma, dehydration and diabetes.
 * heart failure is a serious condition and has no cure. Heart failure is a condition where your heart can’t pump enough blood throughout your body. Heart failure does not mean that your heart has stopped or is about to stop working. It means that your heart is not able to pump blood the way that it should.


 * Asthma is a chronic disease that affects your airways and these airways help you breath and get air into your body. If you have asthma the inside walls of your airways are swollen. This makes it harder for you be breath.


 * Dehydration is when you body is at loss for water. You become very weak and dizzy.

Children that get the flu can have some of these complications too, but they also can get bad ear infections and sinus problems.

People over the age of 65 are at high risk for complications too. If they have a chronic medical condition then they are at the highest risk of receiving complications from the flu.

You are at greater risk of having complications if you are elderly or live in a close quarters with people or if you have:
 * asthma
 * chronic lung disease
 * diabetes
 * heart disease
 * kidney diseases and kidney failure
 * reduced immunity, for example if you have HIV/AIDS or have had your spleen removed



Are we ready for this flu season? []

sources: http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/colds.html pictures from google image