The pandemic H1N1 swine flu has spread around the world and made millions of people sick, but there are certain groups of people who are considered “high risk." However, unlike the seasonal flu virus, the people who seem to suffer serious complications from this flu are not those over age 65.
Those at highest risk for complications from H1N1 swine flu seem to be:
- Pregnant women
- People who are obese
- People with heart disease
- People with diabetes
- People with asthma or other chronic lung diseases
- People with kidney disease
- Those with suppressed immune systems, such as people with HIV
- People with neurological and neuromuscular disorders
When compared with the seasonal flu, a few striking differences are noticeable between it and the H1N1 swine flu. About 90% of deaths from the seasonal flu occur in adults over the age of 65. However, the H1N1 swine flu has made very few people in this category sick. It has disproportionately affected younger people, specifically those under age 25. Most of the young people who have died from the H1N1 virus have had chronic medical conditions such as those listed above.
It is believed that as many as one third of adults over age 65 may have at least some antibodies to the H1N1 virus. However, it is not known how much protection these antibodies will provide. Also, studies have shown that children and adults younger than 65 do not have any antibodies to the virus. This will make the H1N1 flu vaccine especially important for young people at high risk.
As of early September 2009, the H1N1 virus has not caused higher hospitalization or death rates than we see with the typical seasonal flu virus. The main difference is that it stayed active throughout the summer months in the United States. It remains to be seen whether the virus will become more serious and cause a higher rate of hospitalizations or deaths in the future.
Source:
”2009 H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) and You.” Questions and Answers H1N1 Flu 05 Aug 09. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 08 Sep 09.
