Title: What Patients are at High Risk for Flu-Related Complications?<br/>Author: Jon Mark Hirshon<br/><a href='http://umem.org/profiles/faculty/96/'>[Click to email author]</a><hr/><p>
        While the flu season this year has been mild, it is still important to recognize which patients are at high risk for flu-related complications:</p>
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                Children < 5 years old
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                                Especially children < 2 years old</li>
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                Adults > 65 years old</li>
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                Pregnant women
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                                Including women up to 2 weeks post-partum</li>
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                Residents of long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes</li>
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                American Indians and Alaskan Natives</li>
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                Patients with certain medical conditions, including:
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                                Respiratory diseases, such as asthma and COPD</li>
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                                Neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions</li>
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                                Heart disease, including CHF and CAD</li>
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                                Blood disorders (e.g. sickle cell disease)</li>
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                                Endocrine and metabolic disorders (e.g. diabetes)</li>
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                                Kidney or liver diseases</li>
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                                People <19 years old on long-term aspirin therapy</li>
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                                Morbid obesity (BMI > 40)</li>
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                                Immunocompromised, (e.g. chronic steroids, transplant patients, AIDS patients, chronic steroid use)</li>
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        </li>
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        During the influenza season, when admitting a patient who 1) has respiratory symptoms and 2) is at high risk for influenza complications, consider testing them for influenza.</p>