Underlying health problems pose flu risk

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Preliminary figures show most of the adults hospitalized with swine flu in the Portland metro area during the last four months of 2009 had underlying health problems that put them at higher risk.

Oregon Public Health reviewed charts from patients hospitalized in Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties to update numbers on H1N1 activity in the metro area from Sept. 1, 2009 through Jan. 11, 2010.

The preliminary figures showed 82 percent of adults hospitalized with the flu had underlying health conditions, most commonly asthma, chronic lung disease and diabetes.

The figures showed more than half of hospitalized children also had underlying health conditions, most commonly asthma.

The final report was expected by Feb. 1.

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.