Alva Review-Courier -

The flu is nothing to sneeze at, especially if you’re an older adult.

Anywhere from 140,000 to 710,000 Americans are projected to land in the hospital this year as a result of the flu and its complications, and 12,000 to 56,000 are expected to die from flu-related illnesses. Adults 65 and older will account for as many as 70 percent of the hospital stays and 85 percent of the deaths.

As people age, their immune system typically weakens and their ability to ward off diseases declines. That puts older adults at increased risk of the flu. Moreover, the virus can cause complications for those alre...