People with neurodevelopmental disorders, including Down syndrome, have an increased risk of catching the swine flu, according to the CDC. In addition, they have an increased risk of developing some of the more serious complications that can accompany this particular flu.
Learn more about this connection so that you can protect your loved one.
What Is Swine Flu?
Swine flu is the often used name for the 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus. This virus was originally thought to be very similar to a flu virus that normally occurs in pigs (swine). But further study on this novel H1N1 virus has shown that this new virus is different than the one that causes flu in pigs, despite the name having staying power.
The flu caused by this version of the H1N1 virus is contagious and is passed from person to person by coughing, sneezing, or by touching something with the flu virus on it and then transferring it to your mouth or nose via your hand. While most people who get the flu will have a mild case - typically fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny nose, muscle aches, headache, and fatigue -- people with Down syndrome and other neurodevelopmental disorders are at higher risk to develop more severe cases and complications.
Neurodevelopmental Disorders
A CDC report that discusses swine flu in those with neurodevelopmental disorders doesn’t cover people with Down syndrome specifically. Instead, it groups together all people with neurodevelopmental disorders. In layman’s terms, this term would roughly translate to almost all people with “special needs” due to cognitive or physical delays. People with a wide range of different disabilities, including autism, mental retardation, cerebral palsy, and other genetic syndromes, fall under the category of neurodevelopmental delay. Down syndrome is merely one form of neurodevelopmental delay in this broad category.
Some people with developmental delay or special needs only have intellectual challenges, and others have associated physical health problems. No two people, even if they share a diagnosis, have the same special needs. However, there are some similarities in this population. For example, people with special needs or developmental delay are more likely to get sick with any illness -- including the swine flu -- compared to the general population.
While underlying health problems such as heart defects or hypotonia can increase the risk for people with Down syndrome to get ill, there are also other factors that increase their risk. In order to help your loved one stay as healthy as possible, it is important to understand what these factors are and what you can do to help.
Reasons for Increased Risk to Get Sick
There are many reasons that people with Down syndrome and other special needs tend to get sick more often. People with intellectual challenges may not understand the importance of good health practices such as covering your mouth when you cough and hand washing. Not following good health practices can increase the number of germs that a person is exposed to and increase their rate of illness. Intellectual challenges can also cause them not to follow through and take the medicines they are prescribed as directed.
Communication problems can impact the health of people with special needs. They may not be be able to tell anyone that they are not feeling well, causing their illness to be recognized later. This may lead to a delay in treatment and a more severe illness than in someone who had earlier treatment. They may also be unable to describe exactly what feels bad (sore throat, all over body aches), making it harder to diagnose their illness.
Another issue that can increase the rate of illness among people with special needs is physical inactivity, either due to lack of opportunity for activity or due to physical disabilities. Being less physically active leaves a person vulnerable to developing illnesses. For example, a person is more likely to develop a bacterial infection after a viral illness if they are not physically active.
What to Do During Flu Season
While it is important to realize that people with special needs are more susceptible to illnesses such as the flu, due to their physical limitations and intellectual challenges, there are some things that you can do to help prevent illnesses.
It is important that people with developmental delay receive the appropriate vaccinations and follow good health hygiene practices such as frequent hand washing, covering their cough, staying at home when they are sick, and not touching their mouths, nose and eyes.
Monitor the health of a person with developmental delay closely during flu season. If they do get sick, it is important to get medical care as soon as possible. Make sure that medication and other doctor's orders are followed. Treatment with antiviral medication is likely for children with Down syndrome and flu-like symptoms.
Hopefully, by following these simple steps, you can help your loved one stay as healthy as possible.
Sources:
American Academy of Pediatrics Policy Statements. Health Supervision for Children With Down Syndrome. Pediatrics 2001 107: 442-449.
Cassidy, Suzanne B. , Allanson, Judith E., (2001) Management of Genetic Syndromes. 1st ed. New York, NY; 2001.
"Health Guidelines for Adults with an Intellectual Disability". St. George's University of London/Down's Syndrome Association
