Influenza costs the United States an average $14.6 billion in direct and indirect costs each year.¹⁴⁷ As many as 80 million workdays are lost each year due to the flu.¹⁴⁸ The flu costs large companies an average of $2 million a year.¹⁴⁹ Consumers pay $3 billion for over-the-counter products to alleviate flu symptoms.¹⁵⁰ Hospital treatment for the flu may cost $3,000 more to treat than most illnesses.¹⁵¹ Higher hospital costs increase insurance premiums across the board.¹⁵²