For most of the millions of persons who get the flu every single yr in the U.S., the virus brings a number of times of fever, physique aches, and weak point before it goes absent. 

But for some, the influenza virus can direct to significant disease, hospitalization — even dying.

Allison Miller knows these dangers all also well.

This yr marks a ten years considering the fact that severe issues from the flu led to a existence-altering decline for the Virginia-centered communications director.

At age 33, Miller was a wholesome younger woman when she came down with a sore throat and headache. 

When her indicators got worse, she went into urgent treatment for a chest X-ray, but it showed nothing at all alarming.

“It seemed like it was just some kind of operate-of-the-mill things — they gave me some prescription cough syrup and reported to let them know if it received worse,” she claimed in an interview with Fox Information Digital.

Back again at property that evening, Miller began sensation even worse — and commenced acquiring rigorous again soreness.

“Thinking it was the flu or something I could get about, I stored waiting around to flip the corner — like, this is the worst of it. It’ll get much better. And plainly that wasn’t the case,” she claimed. 

The subsequent early morning, when the back again agony was triggering her to have periodic blackouts, Miller managed to phone a pal, who came around and identified as an ambulance. 

That is wherever Miller’s memory stops.

“I keep in mind getting loaded into the ambulance — and then I genuinely really do not try to remember a total whole lot just after that for about a few weeks to a thirty day period thereafter,” she stated. “It just escalated extremely immediately.”

As Miller would later understand, her influenza experienced triggered bilateral bacterial pneumonia — which has an effect on each lungs and is far more serious than viral pneumonia.

This led to sepsis, which immediately turned into septic shock. 

“All of my organs ended up shutting down,” Miller claimed. “Within a quick quantity of time, I was in the ICU and they were carrying out every thing they could. But finally, my last greatest likelihood was to be place on life aid.”

“I had skipped the memo that flu vaccines had been for absolutely everyone, and getting 33 at the time and normally wholesome, it did not even sign up as one thing I should really look at undertaking.”

Right after five days, Miller seasoned a unusual complication. 

“A recognised complication of that kind of life help is amputation,” she instructed Fox Information Digital. “Some patients eliminate blood circulation, and that is what happened to me.”

Eventually, health professionals had to amputate Miller’s still left leg higher than the knee — all even though she was nevertheless in a medically induced coma. 

“By the time I arrived out of it, it had been a few weeks. I awoke in a quite hazy situation — and I didn’t have a still left leg,” she recalled.

She put in an additional two months in the healthcare facility and then had to do weeks of inpatient rehabilitation.

Now, in what Miller refers to as her “new typical,” she wears a prosthesis and — with the support of “very qualified people” — has figured out to wander once more and to “navigate the earth and all of its terrain.”

Miller has been able to get back to the things that she enjoys to do, such as touring the earth, with no emotion restricted by her incapacity. 

“It’s just unique, and I have learned to adapt and change,” she stated. 

In addition to the amputation, Miller nonetheless suffers from long lasting lung damage and beneath-ordinary heart function. 

“There was some long term organ harm due to the fact of the strain of the virus, as it was this kind of a significant case of pneumonia,” she stated. “I have a terminal lung condition that requirements normal treatment method.”

She additional, “It’s manageable, but it is something I will without end offer with.”

The practical experience has offered Miller a “renewed perception of how promptly matters could change” — and has taught her to be as proactive as probable about her health and fitness to avert a awful consequence.

“A viral health issues like influenza can set you up for a thing much more really serious further on.”

All round, Miller explained she thinks most folks do not fully grasp how significant the flu can be — so they really do not acknowledge the signals that they will need speedy clinical consideration.

“In my scenario, it was really quick — it was within 24 to 48 several hours that it went from just coming on, to me currently being in the very hot seat.”

Now, Miller is wanting to distribute recognition of the importance of receiving the flu vaccine, which she did not get that calendar year.

“I experienced missed the memo that flu vaccines were for everybody, and becoming 33 at the time and otherwise balanced, it didn’t even sign up as anything I need to take into account doing,” she reported.

“If there is anything you can do proactively to decrease the risk of a little something that critical going on to you, you absolutely should do it, I think.”

Miller acknowledges that the vaccine does not promise that a person will not get the flu, but observed that “it’s additional of a continuum, rather than possibly you’re unwell or you are not.”

She said, “You still could get it, but you could not conclusion up in the ICU like I did … Taking into consideration the advantages that you could get and what the intense, worst consequence could be, it is an quick point to do that is proven to make a tremendous variation for people,” she included.

In addition to acquiring yearly vaccines, Miller normally takes techniques to limit her publicity and would make healthful life-style alternatives, these types of as eating healthy food items and exercising.

Dr. Gregg Sylvester, chief wellness officer at CSL Seqirus, a New Jersey biopharmaceutical enterprise, mentioned that whilst Miller’s expertise is not normal of most gals in her age vary, “it most likely happens much more normally than we know.”

The flu triggers irritation of the respiratory tract, Sylvester claimed, which triggers it to turn into irritated and can permit secondary or bacteria to enter. 

“A viral disease like influenza can established you up for a thing more serious further on,” he warned. “That’s why it is so important to get a vaccine.”

The more intense problems of flu usually are markedly lessened for those who get an influenza vaccine, in accordance to the health practitioner.

“You nevertheless might conclusion up receiving contaminated, but your signs will be milder,” he stated. “And hopefully, your respiratory tract will be in a small little bit greater shape.”

Mid-Oct is the “perfect time” to get a flu vaccine, Sylvester said, as he observed that the U.S. is setting up to see an upswing in conditions. 

“It’s never ever as well late, but it is critical to be vaccinated just before the period genuinely receives started out,” he stated.

Over-all, Miller urged, “Don’t dismiss the flu as just the flu. It is so considerably much more than that. And it can be life-altering.”

She continued, “If you are sick and the signs or symptoms are serious, never squander time asking yourself if you should seek out clinical notice. Listen to your body — it’s improved to go in proactively, instead than regret it afterwards.”

Sylvester agreed, stressing the will need for people to be their possess affected person advocates.

“It’s essential to search for care early, especially if signs get started to transform drastically,” he stated.

All through the 2021-2022 influenza time, the Centers for Disease Regulate and Prevention (CDC) estimates that there had been nine million sicknesses, four million medical visits, 10,000 hospitalizations, and 5,000 deaths associated to the flu.

The CDC suggests that anyone 6 months and more mature get a flu vaccine each period, with rare exceptions.