Swine Flu high risk groups

Wednesday 10th June 2009 HCFI: Dr KK Aggarwal President Heart Care Foundation of India and Director IMAAKN Sinha Institute released hare today the high risk groups for the development of complications of swine H1N1 influenza A:

• Children younger than 5 years of age (particularly those less than 2 years of age)

• Individuals 65 years of age or older

• Individuals younger than 19 years of age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy and who therefore might be at risk for Reye syndrome after influenza virus infection

• Pregnant women

• Individuals with chronic medical conditions requiring ongoing medical care, including: Chronic pulmonary disease, including asthma (particularly if systemic steroids  have been required during the past year), Cardiovascular disease, except isolated hypertension, Active malignancy, Chronic renal insufficiency, Chronic liver disease, Diabetes mellitus, Hemoglobinopathies such as sickle cell disease, - Immunosuppression, including HIV infection (particularly if CD4 <200 cells/microL), organ or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, inflammatory disorders treated with immunosuppressants, Individuals who have any condition that can compromise handling of respiratory secretions (eg, cognitive dysfunction, spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders, neuromuscular disorders, cerebral palsy, metabolic conditions)
•  Children with poor nutritional and fluid intake because of prolonged vomiting and diarrhea

• Residents of nursing homes and other chronic care facilities