Flu Symptoms 2013: Influenza Affecting Elderly in Record Rates as 45 Children Died from Flu-Related Cases

The flu season hits hard among the elderly and the 2012-13 season is no different.

As the flu season is hitting the peak and starts to wane during the January and February months, it has already affected people ages 64 and older hard. According to USA Today, confirmed flu cases from the elderly were at a rate of 116 per 100,000.

Despite the flu season beginning to slow down, some flu cases can continue weeks after the season concludes.

"We've kept rates since 2005 and we have never seen a rate this high," said Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Epidemiologist Michael Jhung. "The highest we've ever seen in was 90 per 100,000."

The epidemiologist noted that the deaths are "still accumulating."

On average, flu-related symptoms can lead to 3,000 to 49,000 deaths, according to the CDC. Although the CDC does not account for adult deaths, they do for children. The current flu season has resulted in 45 children dying from the flu.

- Fever or feeling feverish/chills

- Cough

- Sore throat

- Runny or stuffy nose

- Muscle or body aches

- Headaches

- Fatigue (very tired)

For some cases, vomiting and diarrhea is possible but more common for children than adults.

"It's estimated that 90 percent of seasonal flu-related deaths and more than 60 percent of seasonal flu-related hospitalizations in the United States each year occur in people 65 years and older," noted the CDC. "This is because human immune defenses become weaker with age."