Who is
considered
high-risk?
Anybody can get sick with the flu. However, some people are at a higher risk of developing complications than others, including:1
High-risk groups with pre-existing conditions:
- Neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions
- Chronic heart or lung disease
- Asthma
- Long-term aspirin therapy (younger than 19 years of age)
- Extreme obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 40 or more)
- Blood/endocrine/kidney/liver/metabolic disorders
- Weakened immune system due to disease or medication
Not high risk? Think again. Even if you are not in any of the high-risk groups, you may be living with a family member who is.
To protect your loved ones, it is important to seek early treatment to prevent spreading the flu to them.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. People at High Risk of Developing Serious Flu-Related Complications. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/high_risk.htm. Last accessed: October 2018.