North Carolina reports first child flu death of season

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reported the first flu-related child death in the state for the 2019–2020 flu season Thursday.

Officials said a child in the western part of the state died in December from complications associated with the flu. They said out of respect for the child’s family, no additional information will be released about the child.

“We extend our deepest sympathies to this child’s family,” state epidemiologist Dr. Zack Moore said “These personal losses are also a reminder for all of us that flu can be a serious illness. We want to encourage people to protect themselves and others by getting their annual flu shot.”

According to the the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 27 pediatric flu deaths had been reported from other states as of Saturday, which is reportedly the highest number of child deaths from flu at this point in any season in the past 16 years.

Warning for parents: Child flu deaths hit record high for this time of year

Twenty adult flu-related deaths have already been reported in North Carolina during the current flu season, with 14 of those being in people over 65 years of age.

Officials said children younger than 5, pregnant women, people over 65 and those with certain chronic medical conditions, such as heart or lung disease, are at higher risk of getting the flu.

Symptoms of the flu:

Fever, which may be as high as 103°F to 105°F
Body aches, which may be severe
Headache
Sore throat
Cough that gets worse
Tiredness
Runny or stuffy nose

Health officials believe the flu shot is the best way to protect your family from the virus and it’s not too late to get it.

“There is still time to protect yourself and your loved ones this flu season,” Moore said.

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It takes about two weeks after receiving the shot for the body to build the antibodies necessary to fight the virus.

Ways to protect yourself against the spread of flu and other viruses include:

Staying home when you are sick until you have been fever free for at least 24 hours
Washing your hands frequently, preferably with soap and water
Covering your coughs and sneezes with a tissue and then discarding the tissue promptly

An estimated 12,000 to 79,000 people die from flu infections nationwide each year, according to the CDC.

Several regional hospitals restrict access in response to growing number of flu cases Several regional hospitals restrict access in response to growing number of flu cases

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