Background: Although influenza is primarily considered a respiratory infection and causes significant respiratory mortality, evidence suggests that influenza has an additional burden due to broader consequences of the illness. Some of these broader consequences include cardiovascular events, exacerbations of chronic underlying conditions, increased susceptibility to secondary bacterial infections, functional decline, and poor pregnancy outcomes, all of which may lead to an increased risk for hospitalization and death.

Author List: Macias AE, McElhaney JE, Chaves SS, Nealon J, Nunes MC, Samson SI, Seet BT, Weinke T, Yu H.

Journal Name: Vaccine. 2021 Mar 15;39 Suppl 1:A6-A14. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2020.09.048. Epub 2020 Oct 9. PMID: 33041103; PMCID: PMC7545338.