Pregnant and under-65s at greatest risk

A DOCTOR WRITES:GP CONSULTATIONS for influenza are rising across Europe, with rates at their highest in England. Confirmed flu cases are predominantly of swine flu, now officially designated influenza A (H1N1) 2009.

As of December 21st, the latest date for which figures are available, the influenza-like illness consultation rate in the Republic was 24.1 per 100,000 population, a significant rise on the previous week’s figures.

The surge in flu cases across the UK will almost certainly have an impact here. With heavy travel between countries over the Christmas and new year and people confined indoors by poor weather, the opportunity for cross infection is high. Next week’s statistics from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) are likely to reflect this.

Swine flu is now the principal seasonal influenza virus in circulation, but it is not the only one: influenza B viruses and influenza A (H3N2) have also been identified. The good news is that these predominant strains are contained in this year’s seasonal flu vaccine and there is little evidence of any resistance to the antiviral drugs oseltamivir or zanamivir.

Although the safety and efficacy of seasonal flu vaccine is well established, uptake levels among some vulnerable groups have been disappointing.

In the UK, just 43 per cent of vulnerable under 65s have been vaccinated so far this season.

Pregnant women, who we know are more at risk of swine flu complications, have been especially slow to avail of flu jabs. While swine flu remains a mild illness for the majority of people who contract it, it does pose a particular risk for pregnant women and those with underlying chronic illness.

The biggest surge in cases has been in people aged 15 to 64, reflecting the H1N1 virus’s propensity to infect a younger age group than that targeted by previous seasonal strains.

Experts now agree that the over-65s were exposed to a previous strain of H1N1 which means their body’s defence systems are primed to ward off swine flu.

Symptoms of seasonal flu include sudden onset of fever, cough as well as sore throat, aching muscles and joints. Most people will recover if they look after themselves through rest, drinking plenty of fluids and by taking paracetamol. The following are useful pointers:

Increasing difficulty breathing; for example, being unable to complete a sentence, or for children, skin sucked in between ribs when breathing;

Sharp chest pains that make it difficult to breathe or cough; Thick yellow or green phlegm or brown or bloody phlegm;

Severe earache;

Uncharacteristic changes in behaviour, such as becoming confused or appearing terrified (particularly in children);

Being so drowsy that the person has difficulty eating, drinking or talking.