Swine flu - 'asthma patients most at risk'

Asthma is the most common underlying condition in in those admitted to hospital with swine flu, new UK research has indicated.

The study looked at 192 patients in England who had been hospitalised with the H1N1 virus. Lung disease was found to be the most common underlying condition, with more than 25% of those admitted to hospital having asthma.

Heart disease was present in 15% of patients admitted to hospital, while pregnant women made up 5% of hospitalised patients with swine flu.

The study found that half of the 80 people aged 16 to 44 years and 35 of the 40 children aged under five years who needed hospital treatment had no underlying conditions.

This, according to the British Medical Journal, underlines the dangers of swine flu to previously healthy young people.

The research was carried out by the Flu Clinical Information network, funded by the UK Department of Health.

Meanwhile, while progress was reported following a meeting between the IMO and the Department of Health yesterday, the doctors' body says some outstanding issues had yet to be resolved on the plan to have GPs administer the swine flu vaccine initially to at-risk groups.

The IMO says it is ultimately up to individual GPs whether they want to take part in the initial phase of swine flu vaccine prorgamme, which us due to begin shortly.

[Posted: Thu 08/10/2009]