influenza is one of the most common viral infections and causes Upper respiratory tract infection. Typically, it presents with fever, chills, running nose and cough. Put together we call it “flu like symptoms”. 

In young immunocompetent individuals these symptoms are self resolving and in the vast majority of patients don’t require any treatment. 

However things are different in elderly population. As we age, our immunity becomes weaker, elderly also tend to many co morbid conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiac failure, COPD, CKD. All this make this patient populations more prone for developing severe influenza disease. Another way influenza can compromise the patient is by worsening the pre existing conditions. Since these patients have poor physiological reserve, a simple viral infection can decompensate the pre-existing conditions and may lead to hospital and ICU admission. 

For this reason, all elderly populations should get vaccinated with an annual influenza vaccine. Those who have co morbidity, must get themselves vaccinated. Flu shots are one of the most cost-effective intervention in elderly population and potentially avoid few hospital and ICU admissions.