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Influenza is a viral infection that attacks your respiratory system — your nose, throat and lungs. Influenza is commonly called the flu, but it's not the same as stomach "flu" viruses that cause diarrhea and vomiting. For most people, the flu resolves on its own. But sometimes, influenza and its complications can be deadly.

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Influenza viruses travel through the air in droplets when someone with the infection coughs, sneezes or talks. You can inhale the droplets directly, or you can pick up the germs from an object — such as a telephone or computer keyboard — and then transfer them to your eyes, nose or mouth.

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Risk factors include the following: obesity, age, work/living condition, weakened immune system, chronic illnesses, race, aspirin use under the age of 19, and pregnancy.

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But children and adults at high risk may develop complications that may include: pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma flare-ups, heart problems, ear infections, and acute respiratory distress syndrome.

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To prevent this, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends annual flu vaccination for everyone age 6 months or older. The flu vaccine can reduce your risk of the flu and its severity and lower the risk of having serious illness from the flu and needing to stay in the hospital.