Aging Makes the Flu Virus Potentially DeadlyThe influenza virus can have a devastating impact on aging individuals.At least 90% of the flu-related deaths every year involve people over 65.9 The flu virus can also boost the risk of secondary bacterial infections and can worsen preexisting medical problems.10-12Most of those hospitalized for flu infections are older adults.13,14 For this group, lengthy hospital stays pose additional health risks.15In an effort to prevent the flu—and all of the risks associated with it—many older adults dutifully get a flu vaccine every winter. The problem is that the claimed effectiveness of the flu vaccine among aging adults is exaggerated.16A very recent study found that the vaccine’s effectiveness decreases as the degree of frailty (as measured by the Frailty Index) increases.17 And while the vaccine works in 70%-90% of young adults, that number drops to 17%-53% in older adults.18Fortunately, there’s a way to boost your body’s own defenses against the cold and flu—and it begins by taking care of your gut. Maintaining a healthy, balanced gut microbiome provides people of all ages with surprisingly strong protection against potentially deadly viruses such as cold and flu.