Influenza
Influenza Fact Sheet
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Influenza, or flu, is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by
influenza viruses.
Influenza can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can
lead to death.
Influenza can be found throughout the world, and global pandemics can
occur when a new strain of influenza spreads quickly worldwide.
Epidemics usually occur during the winter months and an average of 5% to 20% of the
population gets the flu; more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from
complications, and approximately 36,000 people die each year.
In Colorado, the influenza season usually begins in January and peaks in
early February.
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Anyone can get influenza; however, influenza is most serious in the
elderly, in people with chronic underlying health conditions (such as
cancer, emphysema, asthma, or diabetes), and in people that have
weakened immune systems.
Influenza vaccine is available to high-risk groups, usually beginning
in October every year. The vaccine is made up of three different strains
of influenza. These strains are inactivated and will not cause illness
after vaccination.
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