Why should the flu matter to you? Influenza is an important public health problem. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year, the flu causes between 3,000 and 50,000 deaths nationally, depending on the severity of the season, it can cause approximately 200,000 hospitalizations and billions in medical costs and indirect costs such as lost wages. 

But closer to home, there are some things you can do to prevent the flu or minimize its impact if you do get sick.