Swine flu: Underlying health problems and risks
For most of us, swine flu should be a mild illness and easy to deal with, but many people suffer with 'underlying health problems' that means that swine flu could be more dangerous.
What are 'underlying health problems'?
An underlying problem is a medical condition that someone already needs medication for or regular check-ups to maintain.
These include asthma, diabetes, heart disease, pregnancy or neurological conditions.
Asthma
Around 5 million people, including 1 million children, suffer with asthma.
Why are asthmatics at risk? Colds and viral infections often make asthma worse and make breathing worse. They are then more likely to get conditions such as pneumonia.
Advice from Asthma UK: Carry on managing your asthma as you normally would. 'If you have flu, call your GP for advice. There are drugs that can work effectively if given soon enough after exposure (within the first 48 hours). They are available on prescription only so your GP will advise.'
Diabetes
There are 2.5 million diabetics in the UK and swine flu could affect blood sugar levels.
Why are diabetics at risk? Although people with diabetes are at no greater risk than anyone else, swine flu is likely to increase blood sugar levels, so diabetics may need to change their insulin medication to cope with this.
Higher blood sugar levels means that bacteria will find it easier to breed and increase the chance of further infections.
Advice from the NHS: 'If you are on insulin and testing your own blood glucose, you may be advised to do this more often so you can adjust your dose according to the results. If you start to vomit or become increasingly unwell, call your GP as soon as possible.'
Heart disease
There are at least 1.5 million people in the UK who suffer from angina, plus many more who will have a stroke or a heart attack every year.
Why are heart patients at risk? Swine flu is likely to raise blood pressure, putting extra strain on the heart.
Advice from the British Heart Foundation: 'It is important that you speak to your doctor before taking over-the-counter medicines such as pain killers and cough medicines. This is because some of the medications cannot be taken with those prescribed for your heart disease.'
Neurological conditions
Around 250,000 people suffer from a neurological problem, such as Parkinson's Disease and multiple sclerosis.
Why are these patients at risk? People with neurological conditions have a lower immune system, so they're at greater risk of getting an infection.
Advice from MS Trust: Start taking antiviral medication as soon as you are confirmed with swine flu. People with these conditions will get priority vaccinations once they become available.
- Find out more about swine flu in pregnancy
More on swine flu
- Have I got swine flu? How to tell...
- All you need to know about swine flu
- What is swine flu and what's a pandemic?
How to stop infections and viruses
- Professor John Oxford, Virology specialist, on preventing colds and flu
- Find out how Britain will cope in a flu pandemic
By Rob Mansfield
Average rating:
Where to next?
-
10 symptoms you should never ignore? - Part 2
-
The Nurse and NHS Direct
-
Ask Dr Chris: Breath problems and early pregnancy
-
10 small things that can save your life
-
'8,000 dust mites in my daughter's duvet'
-
Ask Dr Mel: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and hay fever
-
Dr Jonty, family GP, on asthma
-
Eggs reduce cholesterol and help lose weight
-
Exercise for a healthy heart
-
Get air into your home to beat asthma
-
Health commandments: Drink more tea
Please leave a comment, tip or story in the box below
Nigel , 4 months
What other things are considered 'underlying health problems', in Australia they are including the obese (how is that defined?), the immunodeficient eg. those people on chemotherapy, with HIV, those with Kidney problems etc. As your article says, so many people have under lying health conditions, there are so many that meet the criteria :'An underlying problem is a medical condition that someone already needs medication for or regular check-ups to maintain', surely the government has an obligation to produce a comprehensive list?
Report this comment
Grahame, 2 days
My GP's surgery is not including Parkinson's disease as "underlying health problems" so is not including myself as a high enough priority to have the vaccine now. Are they correct???
Report this comment