New Delhi. Swine flu is normally mild and requires no attention but if the following groups of people develop flu–like symptoms, they should contact their doctor said Dr K K Aggarwal, President Heart Care Foundation of India.

They include

Children younger than 5 years of age (particularly those less than 2 years of age)

Individuals 65 years of age or older

Individuals younger than 19 years of age who are receiving long–term aspirin therapy and who therefore might be at risk for Reye syndrome after influenza virus infection

Pregnant women

Individuals with chronic medical conditions requiring ongoing medical care, including:

Chronic pulmonary disease, including asthma particularly if systemic glucocorticoids have been required during the past year)

Cardiovascular disease, except isolated hypertension

Active malignancy

Chronic renal insufficiency

Chronic liver disease

Diabetes mellitus

Hemoglobinopathies such as sickle cell disease

Immunosuppression, including HIV infection (particularly if CD4 <200 cells/microL), organ or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, inflammatory disorders treated with immunosuppressants

Individuals who have any condition that can compromise handling of respiratory secretions (eg, cognitive dysfunction, spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders, neuromuscular disorders, cerebral palsy, metabolic conditions)

Children with an underlying metabolic disorder, such as medium–chain acyl–CoA dehydrogenase deficiency, who are unable to tolerate prolonged fasting

Children with poor nutritional and fluid intake because of prolonged vomiting and diarrhea

Residents of nursing homes and other chronic care facilities

People without spleen

Obesity