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NSE statement on swine flu and epilepsy
The first swine flu vaccinations have begun, with the highest risk groups being offered the vaccine first. People with epilepsy are considered to be at risk as severe flu symptoms can trigger seizures. For further information go to www.nhs.uk.
Information previously published by NSE about swine flu
If you have flu like symptoms and are concerned that you may have swine flu you should either contact the National Flu Pandemic Service ( currently England only), or your GP.
People with chronic neurological conditions, such as epilepsy, are considered to be more at risk and may need to start taking antivirals as soon as they are confirmed with the illness. On occasion, doctors may advise some high risk patients to take antivirals before they have symptoms if someone close to them has swine flu. Seizures may be more likely to occur if someone with epilepsy is unwell with an infection such as swine flu.
Before taking any medication under any circumstances, you are advised to speak to your pharmacist or GP.
The National Society for Epilepsy (NSE) would like to reassure people taking anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) that there is no known interaction between those drugs and the anti viral medications, Tamiflu and Relenza, currently being prescribed during the swine flu outbreak.
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