Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Influenza Risk Factors
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Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Influenza Risks
The main risk factor for getting the pandemic H1N1 flu is contact with an infected person. Having a chronic health condition (eg, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, diabetes, cancer) may increase your risk of a more severe form of the infection. Also people with physical or mental disabilities may be more at risk because they may not be able to easily communicate their symptoms or may have trouble practicing preventive measures against the pandemic H1N1 flu.
People younger than 25 years old are more likely to be affected by the virus. The pandemic H1N1 flu is more likely to affect younger people than the elderly because older people may have developed immunity against the virus.
Eating pork or pork products or drinking tap water are
Factors that increase your risk of developing complications from the pandemic H1N1 flu:
- Age: children younger than two years old and people aged 65 or older
- People younger than 19 years old on long-term aspirin
- Being pregnant
- Having recently given birth (in the last two weeks)
- Diabetes
- Weakened immune systems, such as in:
- People infected with HIV and AIDS
- People taking immunosuppressive drugs
- Disorders that may affect breathing
- Chronic lung, heart, kidney, liver, nerve, or blood conditions
- Being in a chronic care facility
- Overweight (based on early reports)
