Up to two thousand people die from influenza in our country every year. However, Czechs still underestimate this disease. In general, we tend to neglect proper flu treatment and get back to our normal lives the minute we start to feel better. However, this can cause other serious health problems. Complications caused by flu are more numerous and the typical course can develop into brain or lung damage, circulatory failure or pneumonia. 

In rare cases, the flu virus can cause inflammation of the heart muscle. The risk of heart inflammation, or myocarditis, increases if the patient has repeated bouts of influenza or if treatment does not last long enough. The development of inflammation can be slow but also very rapid. 

Its symptoms include, in particular: 

• rapid pulse without physical exertion 
• chest pain or breathing problems 
• coughing 
• lack of appetite 
• swelling of the legs

Inflammation is also characterised by fatigue and chest discomfort caused by a disturbed heart rhythm. 

This is a very serious complication of influenza, which must be treated in the hospital from the initial stage with absolute bed rest and, in some cases, pharmacotherapy. After successful treatment, the patient must be monitored for a long time. They should return to normal life very slowly. Unfortunately, treatment for myocarditis may not always be effective, and the patient may suffer permanent consequences, which can generally be described as heart failure. In advanced heart failure, the solution, if all criteria are met, may be a heart transplant. 

Complications from flu can be easily prevented by vaccination, which is available from your GP. People in particular demographics can receive free flu vaccinations.