A viral illness like the flu requires timely diagnosis and symptomatic treatment from the start, since the virus can quickly spread on and attack vital organs, if not tamed early on. When a person suffers from a case of a severe flu, not only is there a heightened risk of encountering symptoms like high lingering fever, dehydration, delirium, gastrointestinal troubles, but certain problems like pneumonia, bronchitis. Further, flu complications can also be caused by the virus’s replicating spread, or the immune reaction, or developing a possible secondary infection. Sinus infections, ear infections, muscle inflammation, myocarditis, respiratory failure, ARDS, or worsening of chronic health conditions can also be expected.

Having said that, here are some risk factors which may make a person more vulnerable to developing the flu and undergo severe symptoms: