US swine flu victims had chronic health problems

US swine flu victims had chronic health problems (AP)
This undated photo provided by the Rudy Garza Funeral Home and taken by Ultrashots studio shows Judy Trunnell. Texas health officials on Tuesday May 5, 2009 announced the first death of a U.S. resident with swine flu, and said Trunnell was a 33-year-old schoolteacher who had recently given birth to a healthy baby. Health officials stopped short of saying that swine flu caused the woman's death. State health department spokeswoman Carrie Williams said the woman had "chronic underlying health conditions" but wouldn't give any more details. (AP Photo/ Courtesy Garza Funeral Home, Ultrashots)

(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.

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