Swine Flu and Seniors
What People 65 Years Old and Older Should Know About H1N1 Influenza
Nov 5, 2009
The H1N1 virus appears to be affecting younger folks more than older folks, but senior citizens can still get the swine flu. Here is information to help seniors deal with this year’s flu season.
Seniors and Seasonal Flu
In 2009, two kinds of flu are making the rounds. They are the H1N1 flu and the seasonal flu.
As always, seniors are recommended to get the seasonal flu shot because they are most at risk for hospitalization and death from the regular seasonal flu. Most people recover from their flu symptoms, with about 10 to 25 per cent of people affected by the virus in Canada each year.
There are about 20,000 people hospitalized and between 2,000 and 8,000 people who die each year because of the seasonal flu in Canada. In the US, people who are 65 years old or older are thought to make up 60 per cent of seasonal flu-related hospitalizations and 90 per cent of seasonal flu-related deaths.
Seniors More at Risk from Seasonal Flu
Older people have a higher risk of getting serious complications after becoming sick with the seasonal flu compared with people who are young and healthy. Seasonal influenza is a serious illness for seniors because as people age their immune systems become weaker over time.
Seniors Less at Risk for Getting H1N1 Virus
It is true that people who were born in 1957 or later appear to be less likely to get the swine flu when compared to seasonal influenza. Younger people are the ones who are getting sick from the H1N1 virus and overall it is the younger age group that is being hospitalized for the swine flu – not older folks as is the case when it comes to seasonal flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that people who are 65 years of age and older are in fact the least likely age group to get swine flu.
Why are Seniors Less Likely to Get Swine Flu?
When compared to other age groups, people older than 65 have had few infections and even fewer have become severely ill or died from swine flu. Researchers believe this is because older people have built up immunity from the H1N1 virus. Lab tests involving blood samples from seniors found that this age group has a pre-existing immunity to this 2009 H1N1 virus. This is likely through exposure to viruses, either through immunization or infection, which are similar to the new H1N1 virus that is now circulating around.
Older Folks More Likely to Get Very Ill with H1N1 Virus
But, seniors should continue to be diligent about protecting themselves from getting the swine flu. Although statistics show that they are less likely to get the swine flu, once a senior is hospitalized with H1N1 flu he or she is more at risk for developing complications when compared to people who are younger.
Seniors with Health Problems More at Risk for Getting H1N1 Flu
As well, certain populations within the senior community are more at risk of becoming infected with swine flu. They include older folks with ongoing medical conditions and/or weakened immune systems. They are also more likely to get serious complications like pneumonia or respiratory distress from the swine flu.
Seniors and Vaccines for H1N1 Flu and Seasonal Flu
It’s important for seniors to talk with their doctor about what shots they should get this year, as there are two available -- the seasonal flu vaccine and the swine flu vaccine. Doctors may only recommend the seasonal flu shot for seniors who are healthy because the seasonal flu poses a greater risk for them. While doctors may recommend that seniors with medical conditions should get both vaccines.
If a senior becomes sick with what they think is the seasonal flu or the swine flu, it is a good idea to make an appointment with his or her doctor as soon as possible. With either illness, there is a possibility that the senior could get severe flu symptoms and end up having to stay in the hospital.
For more information check out Swine Flu Facts, Side Effects of Swine Flu Vaccine, Who Should Get the Swine Flu Vaccine?
References:
BC Ministry of Health Services. Dispelling Myths About the H1N1 Flu Virus, October 20, 2009.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. What You Should Know and Do this Flu Season If You Are 65 Years and Older. October 9, 2009.
National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI). Advisory Committee Statement (ACS): Statement on Seasonal Trivalent Inactivated Influenza Vaccine (TIV) for 2009-2010, October 2009.
Public Health Agency of Canada. Information on Seniors and the Flu Virus (Seasonal Flu and H1N1 Flu) October 21,2009.
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