Influenza in the U.S. - Statistics & Facts

Influenza, or the flu, is one of the most common infectious diseases in the world. Symptoms range from mild to severe, and include a sore throat, cough, runny nose, fever, headache, and muscle pains. Influenza spreads easily through coughs and sneezes and, although it goes away on its own, can cause more severe illness and even death among high risk populations, including the elderly, young children, and those with weakened immune systems or chronic illnesses. Influenza is also a common cause of pneumonia, and symptoms of both diseases are similar, with pneumonia being a more serious infection of the lungs and carrying a higher risk of death. Influenza outbreaks occur yearly around the world, with outbreaks in the United States usually occurring in late fall and winter. Flu symptoms can be treated with over-the-counter products, but the most effective way to prevent the flu is with a yearly flu vaccination. As of 2015, Mexico had the highest rates of flu vaccination among the elderly of any OECD country in the world, followed by South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Influenza and pneumonia are some of the leading causes of death in the United States, accounting for around 15.2 deaths per 100,000 people in 2015. The flu is one of the leading health complaints in the U.S., with an estimated 86 percent of the population having knowledge of the disease and over 24.5 million cases during the 2015-2016 flu season. In that same year, influenza was responsible for over 11 million medical visits.

During flu season, many people take specific measures to prevent becoming sick with the flu. Some of the most popular prevention measures include washing hands regularly, drinking more water, and getting an annual flu shot. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the best way to prevent the flu is through vaccination. Despite this, only around 32 percent of adults aged 18 to 49 years received a flu vaccine during the 2015-2016 season. Rates of vaccination are much higher among older people and young children, as these populations are most at-risk of death from influenza. During the 2015-2016 flu season it was estimated that vaccinations reduced illnesses by 17 percent and reduced flu-related medical visits and hospitalizations by 18 and 19 percent respectively.

This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.
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Eighth leading cause of death among women in 2015

Influenza and pneumonia

Percentage of adults who frequently use hand sanitizer to avoid sickness during flu season as of 2017

41%
U.S. overview
Eighth leading cause of death among women in 2015 Influenza and pneumonia Percentage of all deaths in 2016 that were caused by influenza and pneumonia 1.9% Rate of hospitalization due to influenza in 2016-2017 (per 100,000 population) 185.6 Estimated number of influenza cases in 2017-2017 (in millions) 30.9m
Prevention
Percentage of adults who frequently use hand sanitizer to avoid sickness during flu season as of 2017 41% Most visited location when sick with flu as of 2017 Drug store/pharmacy Percentage of adults who did not wash their hands after coughing/sneezing the last time they had the flu as of 2017 26%
Flu vaccination
Percentage of older people who received an influenza vaccination in the past year as of 2017 67.8% Revenue of Sanofi's Fluzone vaccine in 2017 (in million U.S. dollars) 1,798m USD Percentage of college students that had received an influenza vaccination in 2017 48.4% Leading reason college students did not get a flu vaccine in 2017 I'm healthy, I do not need it
Miscellaneous
Percentage of workers who always or most of the time went to work even with a cold or flu in 2016 55% Percentage of older adults who stated a flu vaccination should be required for medical staff in nursing homes as of 2017 73% Estimated pneumonia and influenza funding by the NIH in 2018 311m USD Percentage of employers who offered onsite seasonal flu vaccinations as of 2018 60%

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Influenza in the U.S.
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The whole topic in one document

Influenza in the U.S.
  • Edited and prepared
  • Download in PPT/PDF format
  • Instant access
  • From $365
View dossier
U.S. overview
Eighth leading cause of death among women in 2015 Influenza and pneumonia Percentage of all deaths in 2016 that were caused by influenza and pneumonia 1.9% Rate of hospitalization due to influenza in 2016-2017 (per 100,000 population) 185.6 Estimated number of influenza cases in 2017-2017 (in millions) 30.9m
Prevention
Percentage of adults who frequently use hand sanitizer to avoid sickness during flu season as of 2017 41% Most visited location when sick with flu as of 2017 Drug store/pharmacy Percentage of adults who did not wash their hands after coughing/sneezing the last time they had the flu as of 2017 26%
Flu vaccination
Percentage of older people who received an influenza vaccination in the past year as of 2017 67.8% Revenue of Sanofi's Fluzone vaccine in 2017 (in million U.S. dollars) 1,798m USD Percentage of college students that had received an influenza vaccination in 2017 48.4% Leading reason college students did not get a flu vaccine in 2017 I'm healthy, I do not need it
Miscellaneous
Percentage of workers who always or most of the time went to work even with a cold or flu in 2016 55% Percentage of older adults who stated a flu vaccination should be required for medical staff in nursing homes as of 2017 73% Estimated pneumonia and influenza funding by the NIH in 2018 311m USD Percentage of employers who offered onsite seasonal flu vaccinations as of 2018 60%

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