Skip to main content
Candace Adkins, NP

Medically reviewed by:
Candace Adkins, NP

Learning about the impact of the flu on older adults can be intimidating. However, there are many things you can do to help avoid the negative consequences of the flu.

Oct. 20, 2025

You may think you know everything there is to know about the flu, otherwise known as influenza. Influenza returns every year during the colder months, causing workplace disruptions, missed school, cancelled plans, and general misery. However, did you know that influenza A can be especially dangerous for the elderly? An influenza infection in seniors can be quite different than a flu infection in a younger adult.

Here’s what you need to know about why the flu is dangerous for older adults and what to do.

How is the flu different for older adults compared to younger people?

Is influenza A dangerous for the elderly? To answer this question, it’s helpful to look at annual flu statistics from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Unfortunately, each flu season, people over age 65 are most significantly affected by flu infections. This age group accounts for the majority of hospitalizations and deaths from the flu. The CDC estimates that, in the average flu season, 70 to 85 percent of flu deaths occur in people ages 65 or older.1

The dangers of the flu for older adults include secondary infections such as pneumonia. Sometimes, a secondary infection can cause a very serious condition known as sepsis, which can lead to organ failure. Older adults are more likely to be hospitalized for the flu, and hospitalization itself can be particularly hazardous for them due to the risks of hospital-acquired infections, potential medication errors, pressure ulcers, and increased risk of falls.

Why is the flu different for older adults?

There are a few reasons why the influenza A virus affects older adults more severely than younger adults. First, older adults are more likely to have chronic medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or COPD that can complicate their recovery process. Older adults are also less likely to have robust immune systems that can effectively fight off the flu, making it harder for them to recover.

Having a compromised immune system also increases the likelihood of older adults developing pneumonia, brain inflammation (encephalitis), and heart inflammation (myocarditis) as a result of an influenza infection. The National Foundation on Aging also notes that having a flu infection as an older adult can increase your risk of having a heart attack by 3 to 5 times, and your risk of a stroke by 2 to 3 times.2

What are flu symptoms in seniors?

Flu symptoms in seniors are similar to flu symptoms in other age groups. They include the following:

  • Fever and chills
  • Weakness
  • Body aches, including muscle and joint pain
  • Headache
  • Chest discomfort
  • Shortness of breath
  • Cough
  • Nasal congestion
  • Sore throat
  • Appetite decrease
  • Fatigue
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Confusion or delirium

It’s important to note that older adults sometimes don’t mount a fever when they get infected with the flu, so if you are having any of the above symptoms without a fever, it’s still important to get evaluated for an influenza infection.3 The National Institute on Aging has published these guidelines regarding temperature assessment for older adults with flu.

What to do if you get the flu as an older adult

If you think you may have contracted the flu as an older adult, it’s important to rest and stay hydrated. If you are able to stay home from work or other activities, you will give your body a better chance to recover. It can be hard to be “sidelined.” However, staying home when you are sick also helps prevent the spread of the virus through your community. The CDC notes that you can resume your regular activities once your symptoms are improving and you’ve been fever-free without medication for 24 hours.4

Suppose you are considering taking over-the-counter medications for flu symptoms. In that case, it’s important to check in with your doctor to make sure that these medications will not interact negatively with any daily prescription medications that you take.

You may also want to discuss with your doctor the option of starting an antiviral medication for the flu to help support your recovery and reduce the likelihood of developing a serious complication from the virus. These medicines are generally more effective when they’re started within 48 hours of developing flu symptoms, so keep an eye on your symptoms and have a low threshold for contacting your doctor.

When to see a doctor for the flu

When should you see your doctor for the flu? If you need an official diagnosis of flu to start antivirals, or for an employer, or otherwise, it’s good to check in with your doctor. It’s also a good idea to see your doctor if you’re having flu-like symptoms along with other symptoms that are worrying you, such as:

  • Increased work of breathing or difficulty breathing
  • Feeling short of breath
  • Chest pain or pressure
  • Feeling weakness, extreme tiredness, or dizziness
  • More symptoms of other chronic conditions, such as more asthma symptoms

It’s also a good idea to see your doctor if you’re experiencing a “double sickening,” which is when you start to feel better, but then a few days later, your symptoms intensify again. For example, if your fever goes away but then returns after a few days, and your cough worsens, this is a double whammy. This could represent the development of a secondary bacterial infection, such as bacterial pneumonia.

Flu treatment for older adults

If you’re diagnosed with the flu as an older adult, the most important treatments are rest and supportive care. Many people can improve their symptoms using over-the-counter medications such as pain relievers and anti-inflammatories.

However, there are also antiviral medications that can help alleviate your symptoms and reduce the likelihood of developing a flu complication. Your body’s immune system is usually able to fight off influenza on its own; however, when you’re an older adult with chronic illnesses or a compromised immune system, taking an antiviral can help your recovery.

The most common antiviral medication is known as Tamiflu (oseltamivir), which can be taken orally once every 12 hours for 5 days. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also approved three other anti-flu medications. These medications are most effective when started early in the course of your illness. It’s also important to know that antivirals can help prevent you from getting the flu if you are in close contact with someone who is sick with the flu.5

How to prevent the flu as an older adult

The single most effective way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccine every year. Each year, flu shots are expertly designed and selected to help protect you from the specific strains of the flu virus that are most likely to be in your community. The best time to get a flu shot is typically just before the start of the flu season, usually in September or October. Getting a flu shot can help prevent you from ever getting a flu infection. However, even if you do get the flu, having had a flu shot can help lessen your symptoms and lower your risk of getting a flu complication.6

To prevent the flu as an older adult, it’s also important to follow the general tenets of infection prevention, such as washing your hands with soap and water, avoiding close contact with people who have the flu, avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth when in public (especially during flu season), and practicing good hygiene.
When you sleep well, eat well, control your stress, avoid alcohol or cigarettes, and stay physically active, you’re also nourishing your immune system, which can help prevent the flu as an older adult.

Flu vaccine options for older adults

The flu vaccine is very important to get if you are elderly, because when you are 65 and older, your risk of getting very sick from the flu increases. The type of flu vaccine that you get as an older adult is important, too. There are high-dose flu vaccines that are recommended by the CDC for adults aged 65 and older. These are even more effective at flu prevention than the standard flu vaccine.

Currently, the FDA recommends three high-dose vaccines for people aged 65 and older. These include:

You can discuss with your provider the option of receiving the higher-dose flu vaccine if you are 65 years or older.

How to learn more about managing flu as an older adult

Learning about the impact of the flu on older adults can be intimidating. However, there are many things you can do to help avoid the negative consequences of the flu. Prevention is key. To learn more about healthy habits that can help you prevent the flu, check out these tips from the CDC.

References:

Find a doctor

At WellMed, we provide personalized primary care for people with Medicare. Our doctors listen with care and compassion, building strong relationships that empower you at every step. Our goal is simple, to provide the best care so you can live your best life.