is hayfever a chronic illness?

Hi Annette,

Hayfever, or nasal allergies, are considered to be a chronic illness. But according to the CDC, only kids with the following medical conditions are considered high risk for swine flu:

* immunosuppression
* chronic kidney disease
* heart disease
* HIV and AIDS
* diabetes
* asthma or problems with the lungs
* sickle cell disease
* chronic neurologic conditions
* cerebral palsy
* seizure disorders

Allergies often accompany asthma and they do affect the airways, but the effects do come and go, so the risk is not the same.

I'd encourage you to speak with your son's pediatrician for more info on his risk.

Good luck,

Kathi