Flu and chronic medical conditions

If you have a chronic medical condition such as heart disease, asthma or diabetes, it's important to seek medical advice when the first flu symptoms occur.

According to the NHS in the UK around 600 people a year die from seasonal flu. This rises to around 13,000 during an epidemic.

Flu complications can include bacterial pneumonia, dehydration and worsening of chronic medical conditions such as congestive heart failure, asthma or diabetes. When children with asthma or allergies get flu, they often get complications such as sinus problems and ear infections.

Who's at risk of problems associated with flu?

According to the Department of Health, individuals who are at high risk for problems associated with flu include those:

• over age 65
• living in long-stay residential care homes or nursing homes
• who are carers or who care for elderly people.
• over age 6 months with underlying medical conditions such as:
• Chronic respiratory disease, including asthma
• Chronic heart, renal and liver disease
• Chronic neurological disease, including stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA)
• Diabetes
• People with impaired immunity due to disease or treatment
• Individuals with multiple sclerosis and related conditions
• Those with hereditary and degenerative diseases of the central nervous system
• Pregnant women

What chronic medical conditions might increase problems associated with flu?

Some common medical conditions that may increase the risk of problems with the flu include:

• asthma
• diabetes
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• heart disease
• HIV/AIDS

What about diabetes and flu?

While getting the flu is dangerous for anyone, it's extra risky for those with diabetes. People with diabetes are three times more likely to die with flu and/or pneumonia.

How is COPD, emphysema and chronic bronchitis, worsened by flu?

Around 835,000 adults in the UK are diagnosed with COPD, which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. However, it’s estimated that a further 2 million people have the condition but have not yet been diagnosed. COPD is marked by obstruction to airflow that interferes with breathing. Like asthma or any lung disease, COPD is worsened by the flu. If you have COPD, it's important to learn what you can do to avoid respiratory problems.

Why is flu a danger to those with heart disease?

Flu and lung infections pose greater dangers for people with heart disease. Lung infections prevent people from taking in oxygen as efficiently as they should. This makes the heart work harder to pump oxygen-rich blood through the body. This extra work can be dangerous for people with heart disease.

What about HIV/AIDS and flu?

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) kills or damages cells in the body's immune system. It gradually destroys the body's ability to fight infections like the flu and the common cold. People with HIV are more likely to get complications from the flu, such as pneumonia. They are also at higher risk of dying from the flu.