Swine Flu - High Risk Groups

High-risk groups

Some people are more at risk of serious illness if they catch swine flu, and will need to start taking antivirals as soon as they are confirmed with the illness. On occasion, doctors may advise some high-risk patients to take antivirals before they have symptoms if someone close to them has swine flu.

The risk profile of the virus is still being studied but it is already known that the following people are particularly vulnerable:

• people with:
  - chronic lung disease,
  - chronic heart disease,
  - chronic kidney disease,
  - chronic liver disease,
  - chronic neurological disease (neurological disorders include motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease),
  - immunosuppression (whether caused  
    by disease or treatment), and
  - diabetes mellitus,
• patients who have had drug treatment for asthma in the past three years,
• pregnant women,
• people aged 65 years and older, and
• children under five years old.