The Flu Can Break More Than a Fever: Hidden Dangers to Your Heart and Lungs

From using antiviral drugs and Chinese medicinal herbs to keeping the neck warm, there are ways to minimize the duration and prevent seasonal flu.

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While the flu is often brushed off as a seasonal nuisance, it can trigger life-threatening complications—from acute respiratory failure to heart attacks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that as of March 8, at least 41 million people had been sickened by influenza, of which 540,000 were hospitalized and 23,000 died.

Experts warn that for older adults and those with chronic conditions, a flu infection can quickly spiral into a medical emergency. Here’s what you need to know to stay protected—plus how Eastern and Western medicine can work together to guard your health.

Increased Risk of Respiratory Failure

Complications caused by flu should not be taken lightly. In 2024, Scientific Reports published a study analyzing the clinical data of 1,402  influenza patients in Romania, of which 64.5 percent were children and 9.1 percent were elderly (65 and older). The study found that 9.9 percent of the patients developed acute respiratory failure.