People at High Risk of Developing Flu-Related Complications

Most people who get the flu (either seasonal or 2009 H1N1) will have mild illness, will not need

medical care or antiviral drugs, and will recover in less than two weeks. Some people, however, are

more likely to get flu complications that result in being hospitalized and occasionally result in death.

Pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus infections and ear infections are examples of flu-related complications.

The flu can also make chronic health problems worse. For example, people with asthma may

experience asthma attacks while they have the flu, and people with chronic congestive heart failure

may have worsening of this condition that is triggered by the flu. The list below includes the groups

of people more likely to get flu-related complications if they get sick from influenza.

People at High Risk for Flu Complications:

Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old

Adults 65 years of age and older

Pregnant women (/h1n1flu/pregnancy/)

People who have:

Cancer

Blood disorders (including sickle cell disease)

Chronic lung disease [such as asthma (/H1N1flu/asthma.htm) or chronic obstructive

pulmonary disease (COPD)]

Diabetes

Heart disease (/h1n1flu/heart.htm)

Kidney disorders

Liver disorders

Neurological disorders (such as epilepsy, cerebral palsy, brain or spinal cord injuries,

moderate to profound intellectual disability [mental retardation] or developmental delay)

Neuromuscular disorders (such as muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis)

Weakened immune systems (such as people with HIV or AIDS (/h1n1flu/hiv_flu.htm) or

who are on medications that weaken the immune system )