Swine flu: High risk group defined Sunday 3rd May 2009: High risk groups for the development of complications of swine H1N1 influenza neds to take extra precautions said Dr KK Aggarwal President Heart Care Foundation of India and Director IMAAKN Sinha Institute while conducting a workshop for doctors organized at Moolchand Hospital by IMA New Delhi Branch. The high risk groups include the following: Children less than 5 years of age Individuals 50 years of age or older Children and adolescents (6 months to 18 years) who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy and who therefore might be at risk for Reye syndrome after influenza virus infection Pregnant women Adults with chronic medical conditions requiring ongoing medical care, including: - Pulmonary disease, including asthma (particularly if systemic glucocorticoids 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 - Adults who have any neurologic condition that can compromise handling of respiratory secretions (eg, cognitive dysfunction, spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders, neuromuscular disorders) Residents of nursing homes and other chronic care facilities   The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are growing swine H1N1 influenza A seed stocks for use in a vaccine, which will take several months to produce.  The 2008 to 2009 seasonal influenza vaccine does not include antigens from the swine H1N1 influenza A virus that emerged in the spring of 2009. It is not known whether some cross-protection will be afforded by H1N1 strains present in the existing vaccine.