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Each year influenza affects millions of Americans, and while most people recover from the flu without consequences, even young healthy adults can develop life-threatening complications like severe dehydration, secondary bacterial infection, septic shock and pneumonia.  In early 2025 the CDC is reporting a surge in the number of emergency room visits for illnesses like influenza, RSV, and COVID.   Severe influenza can cause pneumonia, which can lead to sepsis or death, often triggered by a secondary bacterial infection in severe cases of the flu.¹

As of mid-January 2025, acute respiratory illnesses are driving high healthcare demand nationwide, with increased COVID-19 and flu activity, and very high RSV activity particularly among young children.²

According to the CDC, last year’s flu season (2023-‘24) saw a record high of 200 flu deaths among children and health officials have the predicted the 2024-’25 respiratory virus season to be just as bad.  Last year’s estimates from the CDC indicate that the 2023-’24 flu season caused approximately:

• 40 million illnesses
• 470,000 hospitalizations
• 28,000 deaths³

With this season’s virus surge now upon us, it’s critical for emergency departments to be prepared to treat patients presenting with flu, RSV, and secondary infections.

Many of us will get the flu, a virus, or RSV at some point during these winter months, but rarely do we think about the secondary infections that can bring down even the healthiest person.  This case example from a recent flu season is a dire reminder of just how quickly a healthy person can spiral with a secondary infection:  A model of health, Kyler Baughman, a 21-year old fitness buff from Pennsylvania, developed a runny nose and mild cough while visiting at his family over the Christmas holiday.  Several days later he was in the emergency room suffering from flu-related sepsis. Sadly, this completely healthy young man rapidly declined and lost his battle within 24 hours of admission to the hospital.⁴

Influenza infection typically leads to debilitating symptoms such as fever, cough, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, and dehydration.  Most patients improve spontaneously within a couple of weeks, but some will develop more serious complications such as viral pneumonia, myocarditis, or encephalitis.  The most severe consequence of the flu is the risk of secondary bacterial infections such as pneumonia and sepsis.  These infections occur 3–7 days after the initial influenza infection and are associated with high mortality.⁵ Young children, the elderly, and people with chronic illnesses are at highest risk, but as Kyler’s case illustrates even healthy young adults may be affected.  This is because influenza causes excessive inflammation that can lead to life-threatening organ dysfunction and weaken the immune system so that patients are more susceptible to bacterial infections.^6,7,8

Flu patients may present to the emergency department with severe dehydration or signs of more serious infections.  Adequate and timely fluid resuscitation is critical for these patients, but it is particularly important for those with suspected sepsis.  LifeFlow can significantly enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of emergency departments in treating patients like these requiring rapid fluid resuscitation. Designed for speed and ease of use, LifeFlow enables healthcare providers to deliver fluids much faster than traditional methods like a pressure bag or a pump, which is critical for septic shock patients.  Repeated studies have demonstrated that earlier fluid resuscitation for patients with septic shock results in better patient outcomes and lower mortality.^9,10 Providers may be concerned that since many of these patients also have pneumonia, fluid therapy may increase the risk of respiratory failure.  The opposite is actually true, since earlier fluid resuscitation targeted at reversal of shock and hypotension in patients with sepsis actually reduces the need for endotracheal intubation and the length of ICU stay.¹⁰

Unlike traditional methods, LifeFlow ensures control of fluid delivery, minimizing delays and reducing the risk of complications associated with under-or over-resuscitation.  Its intuitive design allows clinicians to easily administer life-saving fluids in high-stress, time-sensitive situations, improving patient outcomes and streamlining workflow to help reduce interventions and time-to-disposition.

The severity of the current flu season is a reminder of the life-threatening complications that can occur and the need for early recognition and treatment of secondary bacterial infections like sepsis.  For patients with septic shock, quick recognition and early administration of fluids and antibiotics can be lifesaving.