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Caring for Someone Sick at Home

2009 H1N1 Flu may be More Serious for Some

December 5, 2009, 6:00 AM ET

Most people have been able to recover at home from 2009 H1N1 and seasonal flu without needing medical care. However, the flu can be more serious for some people.

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 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)
  • 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

If you have flu symptoms and are also in one of the above groups, call the doctor. Your doctor may prescribe medicines that can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications.