At Risk Group: Immunosuppression

• Immunosuppression due to disease or treatment
• Patients undergoing chemotherapy leading to immunosuppression
• Asplenia or splenic dysfunction
• HIV infection at all stages
• Patients treated or likely to be treated with systemic steroids for more than one month at a dose equivalent to prednisolone at 20mg or more per day (any age) or for children under 20kg a dose of 1mg or more per kg per day

Risk

An immune system which has been suppressed could be overwhelmed by an infection such as flu. These patients could have repeat infections as their bodies is less able to build up immunity to the influenza virus.² Finally, having flu puts the patient at risk of other complications, particularly pneumococcal infection.³

Nurse Jenny Greenfield, Flu Lead/Lead Nurse Cervical Screening Improvement, Public Health Directorate, discusses why those whose immune system is suppressed are at risk from the serious effects of flu.