Swine flu killed "healthy"
Thursday July 15th, 2010
More than half of last year's swine flu deaths in Britain involved people who were previously healthy, according to a new analysis.
The
findings, by researchers at Liverpool and Nottingham Universities, highlight
the paradox of the swine flu epidemic - that although the number of casualties
was much lower than predicted, it took the lives of young and healthy
adults and children.
The researchers studied details of 631 patients from 55 hospitals in 20 urban areas. Two thirds were adults.
Some 27 patients were pregnant and five per cent died, according to the report in the journal Thorax.
The researchers found that 59 per cent of deaths in hospital affected people with no previous health problems. Many other deaths involved people with mild asthma.
Researcher Dr Calum Semple, a senior lecturer in child health in Liverpool, said: "The study found that well over half of hospital admissions and deaths occurred in previously healthy people. Hospital admissions were highest in children under the age of five years and pregnant women.
"The findings support the vaccination of pregnant women - which may also protect their soon-to-be-born children - and all children under five years of age."
Thorax 2010; 65: 645-51
Tags: Child Health | Childbirth and Pregnancy | Flu & Viruses | Respiratory | UK News
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