When to Get Help
Although influenza is a serious illness, it is rare for healthy adults to die from it. Very young and very old people, however, are at high risk of complications that require emergency care.
Experts recommend keeping people with influenza home in most cases. They do not generally need to go to a hospital or emergency room. There are a few cases where emergency care becomes totally necessary.
Infants under the age of one should get medical attention for suspected influenza. People of all ages should get emergency care if they become dehydrated, have trouble breathing, are not able to remain conscious and cannot be woken, develop a rash, or if their skin becomes very pale or blue-tinged. These are warning signs that the illness has become serious enough to need supportive treatment such as intravenous fluids.
