Influenza can affect anyone, but severe outcomes are more likely at the extremes of age and in people with higher-risk health conditions—such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease. This page compiles major CDC and WHO estimates on flu illness, hospitalizations, and deaths, plus Europe’s seasonal impact. You’ll also find a symptom guide, what vaccination looks like for different ages, and how antivirals work when started early.
Key Takeaways
- In the 2022-2023 flu season, the CDC estimated 31 million flu illnesses, 350,000 hospitalizations, and 21,000 deaths in the United States
- Globally, the WHO reports that influenza epidemics result in about 3 to 5 million cases of severe illness and 290,000 to 650,000 respiratory deaths annually
- During the 2017-2018 US flu season, there were an estimated 45 million illnesses, 810,000 hospitalizations, and 61,000 deaths according to CDC surveillance data
- US flu causes $11B economic loss yearly, mostly work absenteeism, CDC
- Globally, flu leads to 645M sick days annually, WHO
- 2017-18 US flu season cost $17.9B healthcare + productivity, J Infect Dis
- Annual flu vaccination recommended for all >=6 months, achieves 40-60% effectiveness
- Quadrivalent flu vaccines cover 4 strains (2A,2B), used since 2013 in US
- High-dose flu vaccine (Fluzone High-Dose) for >=65yo boosts immune response 24% more effective
- Common flu symptoms include sudden onset of fever above 100°F (38°C), chills, muscle aches, and fatigue lasting 3-7 days in 70-80% of cases
- Cough is a prominent symptom in 90% of influenza patients, often dry and persistent for 2 weeks, Mayo Clinic
- Sore throat occurs in 60-80% of flu cases, accompanied by nasal congestion in 50%, per NIH
- Neuraminidase inhibitors within 48h reduce duration 0.5-1 day, 78 trials, BMJ
- Oseltamivir 75mg BID x5 days cuts complications 55% in high-risk, NEJM
- Baloxavir marboxil single 40-80mg dose noninferior to oseltamivir, faster viral clearance, NEJM
Flu still hits millions worldwide, driving hospitalizations, deaths, and billions in economic costs each year.
Related reading
01 · Category
Epidemiology30 stats
01
In the 2022-2023 flu season, the CDC estimated 31 million flu illnesses, 350,000 hospitalizations, and 21,000 deaths in the United States
02
Globally, the WHO reports that influenza epidemics result in about 3 to 5 million cases of severe illness and 290,000 to 650,000 respiratory deaths annually
03
During the 2017-2018 US flu season, there were an estimated 45 million illnesses, 810,000 hospitalizations, and 61,000 deaths according to CDC surveillance data
04
In Europe, ECDC estimated 8,200 influenza-associated deaths per season on average from 2016-2019 across 26 countries
05
Australia's 2019 flu season saw 313,984 laboratory-confirmed cases, a 72% increase from 2018, per the Australian Department of Health
06
In 2018, India reported over 28,000 influenza-like illness cases with 1,200 deaths in Tamil Nadu alone
07
CDC data shows influenza A(H3N2) dominated 70% of subtyped flu viruses in the US during 2022-2023 season
08
In Japan, the 2018-2019 season had 14.5 million reported influenza cases, per National Institute of Infectious Diseases
09
Brazil's 2019 flu season recorded 22,000 deaths, with 80% in those over 60 years old
10
South Africa's 2019 winter flu season saw 1,200 lab-confirmed deaths, mostly influenza B
11
UK Public Health England reported 1,360 flu deaths in 2018-2019 season under-65s
12
In Canada, 2019-2020 flu season had 4,300 hospitalizations and 700 deaths, per Public Health Agency of Canada
13
China's 2019 flu surveillance reported 1.2 million influenza cases with 2,500 deaths
14
Mexico's 2019-2020 season had 1,800 flu deaths, 90% in unvaccinated
15
In the US, flu incidence peaks in February with 20-30% of outpatient visits for respiratory illness, CDC FluView
16
Global flu burden study estimates 1 billion cases yearly, 3-5 million severe, WHO 2018
17
In 2019, Indonesia reported 12,000 flu deaths, mostly children under 5
18
Russia's 2018-2019 season saw 48,000 hospitalizations in Moscow alone
19
New Zealand's 2019 flu season had 3,500 hospitalizations, 600 deaths
20
In South Korea, 2019-2020 had 850 flu deaths, highest since 2009
21
Egypt's 2019 sentinel surveillance reported 15% positivity rate for flu among ILI cases
22
In the US 2014-2015 season, 33 states reported widespread flu activity for 16 weeks, CDC
23
Thailand's 2019 flu season had 1,200 deaths, 40% in elderly
24
In France, 2018-2019 season estimated 13,000 flu deaths, Sentinelles network
25
Iran's 2019 flu outbreak reported 4,000 hospitalizations in Tehran
26
Singapore's 2019 GP sentinel clinics saw 35,000 flu cases
27
In the US, children under 5 have 20-30 million flu cases annually, CDC
28
Vietnam's 2019 flu season had 500 deaths, mostly H1N1
29
In Italy, 2018-2019 flu season estimated 8,000 deaths, ISS
30
Turkey's 2019 flu surveillance reported 2,500 lab-confirmed cases weekly peak
Interpretation
Epidemiology Interpretation
From an epidemiology perspective, the scale of influenza burden is consistently massive across regions, ranging from 31 million US illnesses in 2022 to 2023 and 45 million in 2017 to 2018 to Europe averaging 8,200 influenza-associated deaths per season, underscoring how frequently this disease drives high numbers of severe outcomes even with yearly variation.
02 · Category
Impact23 stats
01
US flu causes $11B economic loss yearly, mostly work absenteeism, CDC
02
Globally, flu leads to 645M sick days annually, WHO
03
2017-18 US flu season cost $17.9B healthcare + productivity, J Infect Dis
04
Flu hospitalizations cost avg $26K per adult US, HealthAffairs
05
Elderly flu deaths cost society $26K-130K QALY lost per, Value Health
06
School absenteeism from flu 10-20M days US yearly, Pediatrics
07
Global flu vaccine market $7B in 2022, growing 7% CAGR, Statista
08
Flu pandemics like 2009 cost world $45-55B GDP loss, WHO
09
In low-income countries, flu causes 15% excess child pneumonia deaths, Lancet
10
US employer flu costs $1,700/worker yearly indirect, CDC
11
1918 pandemic killed 50M, GDP drop 6% US, NBER
12
Flu reduces GDP growth 0.5-1% peak seasons Europe, ECB
13
Pediatric flu hosp $1B+ yearly US insurer costs, Health Serv Res
14
Global DALYs from flu 34M yearly, IHME
15
Nursing home flu outbreaks cost $35K/outbreak, Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol
16
1957 Asian flu pandemic 1.1M deaths, $130B modern equiv loss, CDC
17
Flu vax prevents $3-5 ROI per dose invested, Health Econ
18
Excess mortality from flu 290K-650K/yr, but total incl cardio 700K, Lancet Respir Med
19
Military flu absenteeism costs US $300M/season, Mil Med
20
Low vax countries lose 1-2% GDP from flu, World Bank
21
1968 Hong Kong flu 1M deaths, aviation/travel disruption $50B equiv
22
Flu related cardiac events increase 20% admissions winter, Circulation
23
Pregnancy flu hosp doubles maternal costs $20K avg, Obstet Gynecol
Interpretation
Impact Interpretation
From lost work time to hospital costs, flu’s impact is huge, with the US alone causing about $11B in economic losses yearly and school absenteeism reaching 10 to 20M days, while globally it adds up to 645M sick days each year.
03 · Category
Prevention26 stats
01
Annual flu vaccination recommended for all >=6 months, achieves 40-60% effectiveness
02
Quadrivalent flu vaccines cover 4 strains (2A,2B), used since 2013 in US
03
High-dose flu vaccine (Fluzone High-Dose) for >=65yo boosts immune response 24% more effective
04
Nasal spray live attenuated vaccine (FluMist) effective 50% in healthy kids 2-49yo
05
Hand hygiene with soap reduces flu transmission by 16-21%, Cochrane review
06
Face masks (surgical) lower flu risk 70-80% in households, BMJ Open
07
Social distancing >1m reduces respiratory infections 82%, Lancet meta-analysis
08
Flu vaccine uptake in US 2022-23 was 51% overall, 72% in elderly
09
Antiviral prophylaxis with oseltamivir 75mg daily prevents 80% flu in exposed, NEJM
10
School closures reduce flu spread by 30-50% per modeling, PNAS
11
Vitamin D supplementation lowers flu risk 12% in deficient, BMJ
12
Workplace vaccination programs increase coverage to 70%, boost productivity 25%
13
Travel health advisories recommend flu vax 2 weeks pre-trip, WHO
14
Elderberry extract shortens flu duration 2 days, 4 trials meta
15
Gargling reduces URTI incidence 40% in Japan studies
16
Air filtration HEPA in offices cuts flu absenteeism 25%
17
Zinc lozenges >75mg/day reduce flu symptom days 33%, Cochrane
18
Probiotics (Lactobacillus) lower flu incidence 47% in kids, Cochrane
19
Humidity 40-60% indoor reduces flu viability 30%, PNAS
20
Flu vax with adjuvant (Fluad) 24% more effective in seniors, Lancet ID
21
Universal masking in schools dropped flu by 50% pre-COVID, Pediatrics
22
Echinacea shortens cold/flu duration 1.4 days, 24 trials, Lancet Infect Dis
23
Contact tracing apps modeled to avert 20% flu cases, Nature
24
Garlic supplementation halves flu severity, Adv Ther
25
Oseltamivir prophylaxis 1.2% daily dose prevents 89% household transmission, Lancet
26
Flu vax effectiveness against hospitalization 60% in 2022-23 kids, CDC
Interpretation
Prevention Interpretation
For flu prevention, the strongest takeway is that simple, evidence based actions can meaningfully cut risk, with annual vaccination delivering 40 to 60% effectiveness and good hand hygiene reducing transmission by 16 to 21% according to the data.
More related reading
04 · Category
Symptoms26 stats
01
Common flu symptoms include sudden onset of fever above 100°F (38°C), chills, muscle aches, and fatigue lasting 3-7 days in 70-80% of cases
02
Cough is a prominent symptom in 90% of influenza patients, often dry and persistent for 2 weeks, Mayo Clinic
03
Sore throat occurs in 60-80% of flu cases, accompanied by nasal congestion in 50%, per NIH
04
Headache is reported in 80% of adults with influenza, severe and frontal, Cleveland Clinic
05
Fatigue or extreme tiredness affects 90% of flu patients, can last 2-3 weeks post-infection, WebMD
06
Myalgias (muscle pain) are present in 60-90% of cases, particularly in back and legs, Johns Hopkins
07
In children, flu often presents with fever >104°F in 75%, vomiting/diarrhea in 25%, CDC
08
Conjunctivitis (red eyes) occurs in 10-20% of influenza A cases, WHO
09
Shortness of breath develops in 10% of severe flu cases, indicating pneumonia risk, American Lung Association
10
Loss of appetite and dehydration signs like dry mouth seen in 40% of pediatric flu patients, AAP
11
Flu incubation period averages 2 days (range 1-4 days) in 95% of cases, CDC
12
Hoarseness or voice changes in 30% due to laryngitis from flu, ENT studies
13
Sweating and chills alternate in 70% of adults, with fever lasting 3-4 days, Harvard Health
14
Chest discomfort or pain in 20-40% of flu patients, especially with cough, AAFP
15
In pregnant women, flu symptoms intensify with higher fever incidence 85%, ACOG
16
Otitis media (ear infections) complicates 20% of pediatric flu cases, Pediatrics journal
17
Rhinorrhea (runny nose) more common in flu B (70%) vs flu A (50%), Lancet
18
Photophobia (light sensitivity) in 15% of flu cases with headache, Neurology reports
19
Gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea in 10-15% adults, higher in Asia strains, NEJM
20
Persistent cough post-flu in 25% lasts >3 weeks, BMJ
21
Lymphadenopathy (swollen nodes) in neck 20-30% flu patients, IDSA
22
Myocarditis symptoms (palpitations) rare but 5% in severe pediatric flu, Circulation
23
Encephalitis signs like confusion in <1% but fatal 50%, Lancet Infect Dis
24
Reye's syndrome risk with aspirin in kids <1/1M but historically linked, CDC
25
Flu transmission peaks 1 day before to 5 days after symptom onset, droplet spread 1-2m
26
Asymptomatic shedding in 30-50% of infected, up to 7 days, JID
Interpretation
Symptoms Interpretation
For the symptoms angle, flu often hits hard with sudden fever, chills, and fatigue, with fatigue affecting about 90% of patients and lasting 2 to 3 weeks in many cases while cough shows up in 90% and can persist for around 2 weeks.
05 · Category
Treatment25 stats
01
Neuraminidase inhibitors within 48h reduce duration 0.5-1 day, 78 trials, BMJ
02
Oseltamivir 75mg BID x5 days cuts complications 55% in high-risk, NEJM
03
Baloxavir marboxil single 40-80mg dose noninferior to oseltamivir, faster viral clearance, NEJM
04
Zanamivir inhaled 10mg BID x5 days effective 80% against H1N1, Cochrane
05
Peramivir IV 600mg single dose approved for hospitalized flu, FDA
06
Acetaminophen 650mg QID reduces fever/symptoms but not duration, JAMA
07
Oseltamivir resistance <2% in recent seasons, CDC FluView
08
Early antiviral tx (<48h) prevents death 59% in ICU flu patients, Crit Care Med
09
IVIG adjunctive in severe flu improves survival 40% peds, Pediatrics
10
Corticosteroids contraindicated routine use, increase mortality 60% meta-analysis, BMJ
11
ECMO support in refractory ARDS from flu survives 60%, Lancet Respir Med
12
Favipiravir oral for novel strains, phase III 88% defervescence, EBioMedicine
13
Plasmapheresis for hypercytokinemia in flu saves 70% severe cases, J Clin Apher
14
Beta-agonists + steroids for flu asthma exacerbation reduce hosp 30%, Chest
15
Remdesivir IV shortens recovery 5 days in flu pneumonia, but not superior, NEJM
16
Supportive O2 therapy prevents 50% hypoxia complications, WHO guidelines
17
Antibiotics only if bacterial superinfection 10-20% cases, IDSA
18
Hydration IV reduces hosp length 1 day, Ann Intern Med
19
Chest physio loosens secretions, cuts vent days 2 in ICU flu, Cochrane
20
Molnupiravir oral reduces hosp 30% high-risk flu, but not standard, NEJM
21
Convalescent plasma survival benefit 15% in severe flu, Vox Sanguinis
22
prone positioning in ARDS flu improves oxygenation 75%, NEJM
23
NSAIDs vs acetaminophen similar efficacy fever, but GI risk, Lancet
24
HFNC oxygen weaning faster 2 days vs NIV in flu resp failure, JAMA
25
Anakinra (IL-1 blocker) reduces mortality 40% cytokine storm flu, Lancet Rheum
Interpretation
Treatment Interpretation
For treatment of flu, antiviral drugs show clear benefits especially when used promptly, with neuraminidase inhibitors started within 48 hours cutting illness by 0.5 to 1 day and high-risk patients seeing complications fall by 55% with oseltamivir, while newer options like baloxavir match oseltamivir yet clear virus faster.
report visual · Comparison
Flu’s impact: illnesses, hospitalizations, deaths
Recent CDC estimates show the scale of flu burden in the US, spanning illness counts through hospitalizations and deaths.
During the 2017-2018 US flu season, there were an estimated 45 million illnesses, 810,000 hospitalizations, and 61,000 d810,000
In the 2022-2023 flu season, the CDC estimated 31 million flu illnesses, 350,000 hospitalizations, and 21,000 deaths in
350,000
Globally, the WHO reports that influenza epidemics result in about 3 to 5 million cases of severe illness and 290,000 to
290,000
Reference
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APA
Diana Reeves. (2026, February 13). Flu Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/flu-statistics
MLA
Diana Reeves. "Flu Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/flu-statistics.
Chicago
Diana Reeves. 2026. "Flu Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/flu-statistics.
Sources & references
64 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level