Who is at risk of developing pneumonia as a complication of the flu?
People at risk of complications from the flu, including pneumonia, are those whose who have poor defense against disease. These include: • Pregnant women and women who gave birth or lost a pregnancy less than two weeks earlier • People age 65 and older • Children younger than 5 (especially those under 2 years of age) • Those age 19 and younger who are on long-term aspirin therapy and are thus at increased risk for Reye syndrome with the flu • Anyone with a chronic health condition (such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease) • Children with developmental disabilities • Those with a weak immune system (such as those who take immunosuppressive medications or who are infected with HIV) • People who live in nursing homes or other chronic-care facilities How is the flu and pneumonia treated? The flu is usually treated with rest and fluids and fever reducers. But someone at risk of flu complications is often treated more aggressively, usually with antiviral medications. Two of the most common
