Warning after flu misdiagnosis

The Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF) has again urged people to remember that the early symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia are similar to those of flu.

The warning comes amid reports a five-year-old girl from Dublin is seriously ill in hospital having been mistakenly diagnosed with swine flu when she has meningitis.

“As cases of swine flu increase, meningitis cases may be missed,” MRF has warned.

“It is important not to be deterred from seeking medical help if you or your child is very ill,” the foundation’s deputy chief executive Diane McConnell.

More than half of those who have died from swine flu in the State so far were over 45 years of age, new figures show.

Most of those who have died were in the 55-64 year age range but two were over 65 years, which is the group considered to have some immunity to the pandemic virus. Therefore they were not included in the first priority group for vaccination.

The new data on deaths to date has been compiled by the national Health Protection Surveillance Centre. Their analysis is based on the 14 deaths from swine flu which had been reported in the Republic up to the end of last week.

The age breakdown for those who have died so far indicates there have been no deaths among 0-4 year olds; one death among 5-14 year olds; two deaths among 15-24 year olds; no deaths among 25-34 year olds; three deaths among 35-44 year olds; two deaths among 45-54 years olds; four deaths among 55-64 year olds and two deaths among those aged 65 years and over.