Swine flu, also known as H1N1 influenza, is a widespread illness caused by a respiratory virus. According to the Mayo Clinic, H1N1 is composed of genetic matter from human, bird and pig viruses. It typically causes fever, cough, sore throat and gastrointestinal complaints. While most people fully recover from swine flu, certain groups are at higher risk for complications. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that receiving the H1N1 vaccine is the best way to avoid getting sick from this flu virus.
Working in the Medical Field
Nurses and other medical workers are considered to be at high risk of contracting swine flu. This is due to their close contact with patients who are infected with the virus. The nature of health care also puts health care workers in proximity to people who may have been exposed to the virus but have not yet been diagnosed with the flu. Vaccination for health care workers is mandatory at some medical facilities.
Being in School or Daycare
Children are at an increased risk for contracting swine flu due to their close proximity to large numbers of other children in school or daycare. The contagious children that other children are exposed to are less apt to take appropriate precautions, such as sneezing or coughing only into a tissue and frequent hand washing.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy increases the risk of severe complications from the swine flu. Multiple factors are behind this increased risk, including respiratory changes, circulatory changes and a lowered immune status during pregnancy. The CDC considers women to remain at increased risk until two weeks after delivery.
Lowered Immune Function or Chronic Illness
People with lowered immune function are at an increased risk of contracting the H1N1 virus and of developing serious illness when they do. This group includes transplant recipients who take anti-rejection medications, people with HIV or AIDS, some patients with cancer, malnourished people and people taking steroids on a long-term basis. The CDC also lists the following illnesses as placing people at increased risk of complications: blood disorders, diabetes, chronic lung disease (including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), heart disease, liver or kidney problems, blood or metabolic disorder and neurological problems, such as seizure disorder and muscular dystrophy.
Advanced Age
Being 65 years of age or older increases one's risk of complications from the swine flu. While people in this age group are less likely to contract the illness, they are more likely to end up hospitalized or die from it than younger people. This is likely due to less-efficient immune, cardiac and respiratory functions in the elderly.
Obesity
According to a Nov. 4, 2009, article published in the "Los Angeles Times," obesity and morbid obesity increase one's risk of ending up hospitalized from H1N1 virus. The risk appears to be increased for obese children as well as adults. Although part of the increased risk is due to chronic illnesses often found in the obese, some of the elevated risk cannot be explained.
