Influenza viruses infect the nose, throat, and lungs. They are constantly changing, which is why flu comes back every winter in a new form. For many people, it is a week of fever, aches, and fatigue, but for others, it can lead to severe pneumonia and even death. Each year, the flu vaccine is updated to match the circulating strains. In the 2023–24 season alone, vaccination in the United States prevented nearly 10 million illnesses, 120,000 hospitalizations, and almost 7,900 deaths.

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