US swine flu victims had chronic health problems

US swine flu victims had chronic health problems
By MIKE STOBBE – 7 hours ago

ATLANTA (AP) — Health officials have released details about the chronic health problems suffered by the two people who died from swine flu in the United States. The Mexican toddler who died in Texas suffered from chronic muscle weakness, a heart defect, a swallowing problem and lack of oxygen. The 33-year-old Texas woman had asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, a skin condition and was 35 weeks pregnant.

The details were included in a study done by scientists at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that was released Thursday by the New England Journal of Medicine.

The elderly, young children and people with chronic illnesses are at greatest risk for severe illness from the flu.