RESOURCE PAGE     |       November 12, 2009    |   MM

H1N1: What does immunocompromised mean?
 

Individuals who are immunocompromised have immune systems that are not able to respond adequately, making them more vulnerable to communicable diseases.

Conditions and treatments that can affect immune systems include:
 

• Asplenia (functional or anatomic)
• Congenital immunodeficiencies involving any part of the immune system, including B-lymphocyte (humoral) immunity, T-lymphocyte (cell) mediated immunity, Complement System (Properdin, or factor D deficiencies), or phagocytic functions
• Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT)
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection (HIV)
• Immunosuppressive therapy including corticosteroids, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, post-organ-transplant therapy, and certain anti-rheumatic drugs
• Islet cell transplant (candidate or recipient)
• Chronic kidney disease
• Chronic liver disease (including hepatitis B and C)
• Malignant neoplasms including leukemia and lymphoma
• Solid organ transplant (candidate or recipient)

Source: Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA) H1N1 Information Page

See article by Rebecca Brooke, B.Sc. for science facts about the spread of H1N1 and some insights into the political decision-making behind flu vaccines, from the Holiday 2009 issue of MapleLine Magazine's print edition.