May 11, 2009

H1N1 (Swine) Flu Advisory for People with Lupus

The Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) continues to monitor reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) on the status of the H1NI flu.

At this time, the precautionary recommendations for people with lupus are no different than for the general public. However, it is important to note that people with lupus are typically at increased risk for infections, particularly if they are taking medicines that suppress the immune system. Therefore, it is important to be vigilant about following the general precautions.

Also important: You should never discontinue medications used to treat your lupus without first consulting with your doctor.

We will continue to consult with our national Medical-Scientific Advisory Council, and will provide updates and recommendations as necessary.

Read the LFA's H1N1 (swine) flu advisory.

2 comments:

Loverly Lupie Me said...

What I'm wondering is if there is a vaccine, it said may only be given to people with certain chronic conditions. Would people with Lupus fall under that category? I hope the CDC doesn't forget about us.

Thanks for such an informative article!

Amanda said...

People with regular exposure to pigs are at increased risk of swine flu. More than 1100 people worldwide have died from swine flu since it emerged in Mexico and the US in April, according to the latest figures from the World.