Both of the drugs that are available to treat swine flu, oseltamivir and zanamivir, are considered safe in patients with acute porphyria (NAPOS). Influenza vaccination is considered safe in patients with acute porphyria, including the specific vaccines developed for swine flu. Influenza infection, including swine flu, can be a very serious illness and could therefore precipitate an acute attack. Our advice is that patients who are routinely offered either seasonal and or swine flu vaccination as part of their national vaccination programme should accept.
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