20 Myths and facts about cold and flu

The flu just isn't that serious

Why it's not always true: Most people who get the flu will have a mild case and won't need medical care or antiviral drugs. They'll fully recover in less than two weeks. But make no mistake: The CDC warns that complications from the flu—whether it's H1N1, the seasonal flu, or another flu virus—can be deadly. An average of 36,000 people die each year from the flu and more than 200,000 are hospitalized. Pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus infections, and ear infections are examples of flu-related complications. The flu can also make chronic health problems worse. For example, people with asthma may experience asthma attacks while they have the flu, and people with chronic congestive heart failure may find that the flu worsens this condition.