Children At Risk Of Death From Influenza

     Now that influenza season is upon us, parents need to be aware of a study done during the 2011-12 flu season that was published in Pediatrics.

     There are many children who are at a greater risk of death if they catch influenza. Children with chronic respiratory problems such as asthma are at risk as are children who have other medical problems such as heart conditions and children who have immune system problems.

     But what this study pointed out is that children who have neurologic problems also have almost a five time greater risk of dying from influenza than do healthy children. The neurologic problems studies ranged from cerebral palsy to moderate developmental delay to epilepsy. It was thought that the increased risk of death in these children may have resulted from a decreased ability to cough.

     What these kinds of studies show is that influenza is not just a cold. It should be taken seriously by all parents but especially by parents of children with medical problems. That means getting your child vaccinated against influenza – “the flu shot”. Of the children mentioned in the study who died from influenza, only 23% had been vaccinated and only 3% had been vaccinated with the H1N1 – the second strain of flu that went around in 2011. Every child over the age of 6 months should be vaccinated and children with other medical problems or neurologic problems should definitely be vaccinated. Even if your child is vaccinated, a child with a medical problem who develops flu-like symptoms should be seen by their caregiver to determine whether they should receive antiviral medication. The decision of whether or not to start a child on medication should not be solely based on the rapid influenza test because, early in the disease, it may not yet have turned positive.

     Finally, this Fall brought us a new influenza strain - H3N2 – which is associated with pigs and is not covered by the regular flu vaccine. Any child who is in contact with pigs should wash their hands thoroughly after the contact, should never eat while in contact with pigs and should start antiviral medications at the first sign of any flu symptoms.