I lost my dad to the flu.
My father suffered from heart disease. He experienced three heart attacks before undergoing open-heart surgery at age 55 and lived another 10 years after that.
But when he contracted the flu in 2009, it led to bacterial pneumonia. That put tremendous strain on his heart—and ultimately, his heart gave out.
During flu season, many patients try to “tough it out” and skip the flu shot. Some are young and healthy; others worry it will make them sick.
But the flu can mean life or death—for yourself or someone you love. Even without symptoms, you can spread it to others. For people with chronic conditions, the flu can lead to pneumonia and serious complications.
