H1N1 Swine Flu in High Risk Populations
Health Authorities Strongly Advise These Individuals Get Vaccinated
Oct 24, 2009
People in high-risk categories should get the seasonal flu shot and the 2009 H1N1 (or "swine flu") vaccine as soon as it is available. It is necessary for the following individuals to receive both vaccines:
- Adults who are 65 years and older
- Pregnant women
- Children who are younger than five and especially children younger than two
- Individuals with chronic illness
Complications in Individuals With Chronic Illness
Individuals with a chronic illness include those with cancer, diabetes, blood disorders including sickle cell anemia, chronic lung diseases like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD, heart disease, liver disorders and kidney disorders. These individuals should receive the seasonal flu shot and the H1N1 swine flu vaccine.
It is also highly recommended for those with neurological disorders such as epilepsy, cerebral palsy, brain and spinal cord injuries and those who have mental retardation and developmental delays. Individuals with neuromuscular disorders such as muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis are also at high-risk.
Other people at high risk for serious flu-related complications include individuals with weakened immune systems either from HIV, AIDS or those using medications that weaken the immune system. Medications used to weaken the immune system include those to treat individuals with lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis, and other autoimmune system diseases. If you are on a medication that weakens your immune system or don't know if you are on one, speak you to your healthcare professional. There is more information available on the H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccine for autoimmune diseases and disorders by clicking here.
Seasonal Flu and H1N1 Swine Flu Complications in Seniors, Pregnant Women and Children
The people in high-risk categories listed above can contract the seasonal flu or H1N1 swine flu and experience complications that result in hospitalization. Some of the many complications include severe pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus infections and ear infections. Influenza, whether seasonal or H1N1 can make chronic illnesses worse.
Flu-related complications have also been experienced in seniors, children and pregnant women. It has caused many to become hospitalized and in worst-case scenarios, can result in death. The 2009 H1N1 flu has caused women to go into premature or early labor, develop pneumonia and some pregnant women have died from H1N1. Pregnant women should contact their healthcare providers right away if they experience any symptoms of the flu. There is more information available on H1N1 swine flu and seasonal flu vaccine for pregnant women by clicking here.
Seniors should receive the flu shot due to their weakened immune systems caused by age. It has been documented that H1N1 is infecting younger populations rather than seniors, but they should consider the H1N1 swine flu vaccine as well. It is recognized that 90 percent of seasonal flu deaths occur in the senior population and 60 percent of hospitalizations due to the flu occur in this high-risk group.
Children should receive the seasonal flu vaccine, especially the H1N1 swine flu vaccine, due to the fact that H1N1 is infecting and causing complications in younger populations. Children are at risk due to their weaker immune systems and receiving the vaccine will help avoid contracting either flu and spreading it in school and daycare programs to other children and adults.
Symptoms of The Flu
Seasonal influenza and the H1N1 swine flu can also affect individuals outside of the high-risk categories, so it is important to know the symptoms and warning signs whether or not you are in the high-risk group or not. If you have symptoms of the flu, you should stay home, stay out of contact with people who are not infected and contact your doctor. Symptoms of the seasonal flu and H1N1include the following:
- Fever
- Cough
- Sore Throat
- Runny or Stuffy Nose
- Body Aches
- Headache
- Chills
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea and/or Vomiting
Emergency Warning Signs in Children
There are warning signs to be aware of in healthy children and those in high-risk categories suffering with a chronic illness. The warning signs differ from the warning signs in adults, so it is important to seek immediate medical care at a local hospital if any child with the flu has them. The warning signs include:
- Fast Breathing and/or trouble breathing
- Skin color that is bluish
- Child who is not taking enough fluid
- Child who is difficult to wake up
- Irritability
- Flu symptoms that improve, but return with a fever and a worsened cough
- Fever accompanied by a rash
Emergency Warning Signs in Adults
The warning signs in adults are different than the warning signs in children. Whether an adult is in a high-risk category or not, it is important to look out for these warning signs and seek immediate medical care at a local hospital. The warning signs for an adult include:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain or pressure in the chest
- Pain or pressure in the abdomen
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion
- Severe and persistent vomiting
It is important to understand if you are in a high-risk category of have a loved one who is, a vaccination against seasonal flu or H1N1 can save a life. The flu is dangerous for those in high-risk groups and should be taken seriously. Arm yourself with as much information as possible, speak to your healthcare provider and take care of yourself and others by receiving the seasonal influenza and H1N1 vaccine.
There is more information on this topic located at the Center for Disease Control & Prevention Website. Please click here for more information. Knowledge is key and prevention is the best protection against influenza, whether it is the seasonal flu we hear about or experience every year or the H1N1 swine flu pandemic that we need to learn more about.
Sources:
H1N1 Flu, Information for Specific Groups. People at High Risk of Flu-Related Complications. (October 2009) Retrieved October 23, 2009 from CDC H1N1 Flu Swine Flu
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