According to information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each winter, millions of people suffer from the flu. The flu is a highly contagious infection that spreads easily from person to person (mainly when an infected person coughs or sneezes). Flu, the common name for influenza, is caused by viruses that infect the nose, throat and lungs. Usually, the flu is categorized as a mild disease when it attacks healthy children, young adults and middle-aged people. However, flu can be life threatening in older adults, as well as in people of any age who have chronic illnesses such as diabetes or heart, lung or kidney diseases. By getting a yearly flu shot, you can greatly reduce your chances of getting the flu. While no vaccine gives complete protection, studies have shown that getting a flu shot reduces hospitalizations by approximately 70 percent and flu-related deaths by about 85 percent among the elderly. According to the CDC, the following people are at