Those Who are at High Risk for Flu (includes Bandsters)

[Guest guest]

Bandsters are HIGH RISK for severe flu cases or even death, for a number of

reasons (I have starred **** them in the following info from the CDC )

People at High Risk of Developing Flu–Related Complications

Most people who get the flu 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 can 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 Developing Flu-Related Complications

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

•Adults 65 years of age and older

•Pregnant women

****•People who are morbidly obese (Body Mass Index, or BMI, of 40 or greater)

•Also, last flu season, American Indians and Alaskan Natives seemed to be at

higher risk of flu complications

People who have medical conditions including:

***•Asthma

•Neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions [including disorders of the

brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerve, and muscle such as cerebral palsy,

epilepsy (seizure disorders), stroke, intellectual disability (mental

retardation), moderate to severe developmental delay, muscular dystrophy, or

spinal cord injury].

•Chronic lung disease (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] and

cystic fibrosis)

***•Heart disease (such as congenital heart disease, congestive heart failure

and coronary artery disease)

•Blood disorders (such as sickle cell disease)

***•Endocrine disorders (such as diabetes mellitus)

•Kidney disorders

•Liver disorders

***•Metabolic disorders (such as inherited metabolic disorders and mitochondrial

disorders) (This includes PCOS, common in Bandsters)

•Weakened immune system due to disease or medication (such as people with HIV or

AIDS, or cancer, or those on chronic steroids)

•People younger than 19 years of age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy