Alström Syndrome and influenza vaccination winter 2009
General considerations
Both ordinary influenza (flu) and the newly emerging porcine influenza (swine flu) can cause serious illness, lead to pneumonia, and in very severe cases prove fatal. Any person with reduced immunity e.g. pregnancy, steroid or immunosuppressant treatment, or with disturbance of heart or lung function will be at greater risk of life threatening illness if they should contract flu or swine flu. There is extra concern about swine flu. This is because this new configuration of the influenza virus may mutate or change further to become more virulent.
In Alström Syndrome
The discovery of physical changes in chest shape (kyphosis), heart function (myocardial fibrosis), and breathing (pulmonary fibrosis) in Alström subjects puts them at increased risk of pneumonia following any flu or swine flu infection. Although these changes can be very mild in many Alström subjects it is sensible to recommend vaccination against both flu and swine flu. This is in accord with recommendations to those with diabetes, asthma, bronchitis, and reduced immunity.
Side effects
The swine flu vaccine generally causes a sore arm for 24 hrs and low grade headache and cold like symptoms for up to one week.
Richard Paisey, Torbay Hospital November 2009
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