Flu season is in full swing and it will continue for several more weeks. Every year, millions of people in the United States get sick from the flu and other flu-related illnesses. The flu can turn into a serious illness resulting in hospitalization and even death if not properly treated. During the 2018-2019 season, 16.5 million people went to a doctor for the flu and more than 34,000 people died in the U.S. There are several things you can do to protect yourself and others.