Fears of a major swine flu crisis were growing last night after a letter from the country's top doctor warned that half of the most severe cases have involved people who were previously healthy. 
A woman wears a surgical face mask as she takes a photograph in Trafalgar Square on December 13, 2010 The letter says pressures on critical care services are "significantly over and above" those expected at this time of year.
Crucially, the memo, written on Tuesday, says that while "half of patients requiring respiratory support have had recognised comorbidities [underlying health problems] which increase the risk for severe influenza, half have had no recognised comorbidities."
A spokesman for the Department of Health (DoH) confirmed that the presence of so many previously healthy people among those worst affected by the virus was "unusual" and said anyone concerned about worsening flu-like symptoms should contact their GP.
While overall flu levels remain normal for this time of year, the rate of flu has more than doubled in just seven days, latest figures show.
The letter says pressures on critical care services are "significantly over and above" those expected at this time of year.
Crucially, the memo, written on Tuesday, says that while "half of patients requiring respiratory support have had recognised comorbidities [underlying health problems] which increase the risk for severe influenza, half have had no recognised comorbidities."
A spokesman for the Department of Health (DoH) confirmed that the presence of so many previously healthy people among those worst affected by the virus was "unusual" and said anyone concerned about worsening flu-like symptoms should contact their GP.
While overall flu levels remain normal for this time of year, the rate of flu has more than doubled in just seven days, latest figures show.
No comments:
Post a Comment