CDC Confirms Sickest Flu Patients Have Comorbities
The CDC has confirmed that the sickest patients with the pandemic H1N1 (swine flu) virus have other serious medical conditions. The findings applied to both children and adults. Among about 1,400 adults hospitalized with the flu, the most common pre-existing conditions were asthma, diabetes, chronic lung disease, chronic heart disease, and immunosuppression.
Most palliative care and hospice patients have at least one of these comorbidities, making the flu vaccine a near necessity for these patients and their caregivers. Unfortunately, not all hospice agencies offer the vaccines to their patients. If this is the case for you, contact your primary care physician and inquire about getting the vaccine. Palliative care and hospice patients and their caregivers are a top priority for the vaccine so you shouldn't have much trouble finding the shots.
Comments
Would you suggest getting a healthy child vaccinated for swine flu? I have heard many debates on both sides. Thank you for clearing up my question about swine flu deaths. It seems it is not the huge killer the media has portrayed.
I plan on vaccinating my own children, one who is healthy and one who has mild asthma (although I’m having difficulty finding it in my area right now). The H1N1 vaccine is made in the same way as the seasonal flu vaccine. Of course, you should always talk with your doctor to determine if it’s right for your own children but I personally am not as concerned about the vaccine as I am about the flu itself.