Swine flu alert

Important Alert!!

 

People with PWS and Swine Flu (H1N1 Influenza)

 

Reprinted with kind permission of PWSA (USA (with some alterations for a UK audience)

 

Advice from the PWSA (USA) advisory board members: Todd R Porter, M.D., MSPH; 

Merlin Butler, M.D.,Ph.D; Marilyn Dumont-Driscoll, M.D., Ph.D.

 

Individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome should receive the immunization when it is available. Persons with PWS appear to have a normally responsive immune system and should respond appropriately to vaccinations and/or medication to combat illnesses.  Most hospitals are requiring both the H1N1 swine flu and regular influenza vaccinations for all employees. It is thought to be fairly safe. Since we do not know how problematic the swine flu will be this year, we recommend that individuals with PWS should be vaccinated especially if there are other health issues.

 

The symptoms of both the novel H1N1 and seasonal influenza viruses are fever, cough, sore throat, headache, chills and fatigue, and sometimes, diarrhea and vomiting.  Considering that in PWS we cannot always use fever as an indicator of severity of illness, the higher incidence of respiratory problems such as asthma, and the possibility of central adrenal insufficiency (CAI), a parent should have their child or adult with PWS evaluated by their GP if there are concerns about their breathing, hydration, or appearance.  An extra area of concern is that H1N1 can have a very rapid onset. 

 

While the H1N1 virus is a novel influenza virus and has garnered much media attention, we cannot risk ignoring the historical morbidity and mortality of the seasonal flu for which we already have a vaccine that is effective. To date, surveillance data on the novel H1N1 virus has shown it to be milder than the seasonal flu viruses, yet what sets it apart is that it seems to have targeted the younger population (5 to 24year olds).  Time will tell if this continues to be true. Regarding vaccination, we would advise parents to focus on also having the child and family vaccinated against the seasonal flu viruses. An important note is that children less than 9 years of age who are receiving the flu vaccine for the first time, or who received only one dose last year for the first time, need a booster dose 4 weeks after the first dose.  The current H1N1 guidelines list all children 6 months and older as a target group to receive the vaccine.   

 

In summary, all children with PWS should be vaccinated for both the seasonal and novel H1N1 influenza viruses. 

 

If you think your child has swine flu, the UK government advice is to ring  0800 1 513 513  to hear the latest advice. However if you are still concerned, call your GP. Or you can call NHS Direct on  0845 4647  (England and Wales); NHS24 on  08454 24 24 24  (Scotland);  0800 0514 142  (N Ireland)

 

Flu symptoms can include:

·         fever*

·         cough

·         sore throat

·         runny or stuffy nose

·         body aches

·         headache

·         chills

·         fatigue

·         sometimes diarrhea

·         and vomiting

*It’s important to note that not everyone with the flu (especially if they have PWS) will have a fever.

 

Emergency Warning Signs

In Children:

  • Fast breathing or trouble breathing
  • Bluish skin color
  • Not drinking enough fluids
  • Not waking up or not interacting
  • Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
  • Flu-like symptoms improve but then return
  • with fever and worse cough
  • Fever (less likely with PWS) with a rash

 

In Adults:

  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
  • Sudden dizziness
  • Confusion
  • Severe or persistent vomiting (less likely with PWS)