Why does having a chronic neurological disease (e.g. people who've had a stroke) put someone at greater risk from flu and its effects?

 

At Risk Group: Chronic neurological disease

  • Stroke
  • Transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
  • Conditions where respiratory function may be compromised

Your Doctor or Practice Nurse should consider the needs of patients with:

  • Cerebral palsy
  • Multiple sclerosis and related or similar conditions
  • Hereditary and degenerative disease of the nervous system or muscles
  • Severe neurological disability1

Risk
People who have recently had a stroke are likely to have an immune system that is weakened, making them more prone to infection.2 Children with neurological disease who get flu are at risk of breathing problems as their lungs may not function as well as they should.3

 

 

Nurse Jenny Greenfield, Flu Lead/Lead Nurse Cervical Screening Improvement, Public Health Directorate, discusses why those who have a chronic neurological disease are at risk from the serious effects of flu.

Chronic Neurological Disease - Slides

You can download the slides from the presentation here:

 

 

References

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1. Department of Health. Immunisation against infectious disease (Green Book) May 2011. TSO
2. Harms H, Halle E, Meisel A. Post-stroke infections - Diagnosis, Prediction, Prevention and Treatment to Improve Patient Outcomes. Eur Neur Review 2010, 39-43
3. Keren R, Zaoutis TE, Bridges CB, Herrera G, Watson BM, Wheeler AB, Licht DJ, Luan XQ, Coffin SE. Neurological and neuromuscular disease as a risk factor for respiratory failure in children hospitalized with influenza infection. JAMA. 2005 Nov 2;294(17):2188-94

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