Older people and Influenza

 
Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza is different to the seasonal flu. While older people are generally considered vulnerable to seasonal flu, they appear to have had less infection with pandemic H1N1 2009 influenza.

However, older people with underlying chronic medical conditions can suffer a more severe illness when they get influenza and a more rapid deterioration, due to underlying disease, ageing of the immune system, immobility or debility.

Conditions that make people vulnerable to severe infection include:

  • Chronic respiratory conditions, including asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease;
  • People who are very overweight; and
  • People with:
      • Cardiac disease (excluding simple hypertension)
      • Diabetes mellitus
      • Chronic metabolic diseases
      • Chronic kidney disease
      • Haemoglobinopathies
      • Immunosuppressed (including cancers, HIV/AIDS infection, transplant treatments)
      • Chronic neurological conditions.

Vaccination

Protection against pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza is available in the 2010 seasonal vaccine and in a single strain vaccine called Panvax®. Older people with underlying health conditions should get vaccinated as soon as possible. Those who would normally get the seasonal flu shot should continue to do so.

More detail on www.healthemergency.gov.au: