Can young people also die from influenza? The shocking lessons of two women in their 30s 

Flu, to many people, seems to be just a “bad cold”. But did you know that even for young people, even for people with normal immune function, flu can be life-threatening? Today I want to share with you two real cases that are alarming.

1. Why does the seemingly ordinary flu become so dangerous?

Case 1: 36-year-old Xiao Li (pseudonym) originally just had the flu, but after taking oseltamivir, his symptoms not only did not improve, but he began to cough up blood and his blood oxygen saturation dropped. Eventually he had to be admitted to the intensive care unit, mechanically ventilated, and even had to have part of his lung removed to save his life.

Case 2: 35-year-old Xiao Wang (pseudonym) also developed severe pneumonia and empyema due to bacterial infection complicated by influenza. Despite timely use of antiviral and antibiotic treatment, his condition continued to deteriorate and he had to undergo a lobectomy.

Why did these two young women develop such serious conditions without any serious underlying diseases?

2. The “fatal combo” of influenza and bacterial infection

Influenza virus infection can cause an imbalance in the respiratory microbial environment, allowing some pathogens to take advantage. At the same time, the virus can also damage the body’s immune function, leading to a decrease in resistance to bacterial infections.

It’s like the “enemy” first destroyed the city wall (respiratory defense), then cut off the reinforcements (immune system), and finally allowed another group of “enemies” (bacteria) to march in.

3. Which groups of people are most likely to develop serious complications?

People with underlying diseases (such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, etc.), the elderly and children with weakened immune system and those who have not received the flu vaccine. However, it should be noted that even young and healthy people like the two patients in this article may develop serious complications.

4. How to prevent this from happening?

Get a flu shot every year. Studies have shown that vaccination can significantly reduce hospitalization and mortality rates. Even if the vaccine strain does not completely match the circulating strain, it can still provide a certain degree of protection. Seek medical attention and standardized treatment promptly. If you have flu symptoms, you should seek medical attention immediately. If your symptoms worsen, such as difficulty breathing or persistent high fever, you should seek medical attention immediately. Maintain good personal hygiene habits. Wash your hands frequently. Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Wear a mask when you are sick. Keep indoor ventilation. 5. The latest research found

In the post-epidemic era, influenza virus strains have undergone some changes. Currently, influenza A is dominant (96%), and the proportion of H1N1 subtype is increasing. It is worth noting that the Yamagata B virus may have disappeared after the COVID-19 pandemic.

VI. Awakening and Reflection

The revelation from these two cases is:

Don’t underestimate influenza . Prevention is always better than treatment. It is important to detect changes in the condition in time. Standardized treatment may save lives . When facing influenza, we should neither take it lightly nor panic excessively. Scientific prevention, timely medical treatment and standardized treatment are the correct ways to defeat the disease.