As per the CDC, 187 children died during the 2017-2018 flu season and 143 children died during the 2018-2019 flu season, so far 54 children have died in 2019-2020 flu season ending January 18, 2020 . Due to underreporting, the actual number may be up to 600. According to the CDC, 6000 to 26,000 children (younger than five years old) have been hospitalized each year in the United States because of influenza. CDC estimates that this season there have been at least 15 million flu illnesses, 140,00 hospitalisations and 8,200 death from flu.
As per the CDC, 187 children died during the 2017-2018 flu season and 143 children died during the 2018-2019 flu season, so far 54 children have died in 2019-2020 flu season ending January 18, 2020 . Due to underreporting, the actual number may be up to 600. According to the CDC, 6000 to 26,000 children (younger than five years old) have been hospitalized each year in the United States because of influenza. CDC estimates that this season there have been at least 15 million flu illnesses, 140,00 hospitalisations and 8,200 death from flu.
Who is at High for complications
Children younger than 5 years old–especially those younger than 2– are at high risk of developing serious flu-related complications. A flu vaccine offers the best defense against flu and its potentially serious consequences and can also reduce the spread of flu to others. Getting vaccinated has been shown to reduce flu illnesses, doctor’s visits, missed work and school days, and reduce the risk of flu-related hospitalization and death in children.
Complications from influenza
Dehydration, pneumonia, ear and sinus infection, encephalopathy (brain infection leading to dysfunction), and worsening of long-term medical problems (ex: asthma, heart disease, etc).
Who should get the Flu Vaccine
All people aged six months and older may receive the flu vaccine each year. Babies under 6 months of age cannot get vaccinated. It is critical that people who live with or take care of children, especially newborns and babies under six months, get vaccinated. One recent study showed that the flu vaccine reduced children risk of flu related Pediatric Intensive Care admissions by 74%. Other studies showed that the flu vaccine reduced flu-associated death by half among children with high risk medical conditions and by nearly 2/3 among children without medical conditions. Also, getting the flu vaccine for yourself and your child can protect others who may be more vulnerable to serious flu illness such as newborns, children under 6 months old, older people, and people with certain chronic health problems.
Common misconceptions for not getting the influenza vaccine:
Does the flu vaccine have any preservative or thermisol (mercury)?
All single dose prefilled syringes are free of thimerosal or any other preservatives. Multidose vials have a small amount of thermisol to protect against contamination and preservation. Even this small amount of thimerosal (mercury) is less than is found in a can of tuna.
Can the flu vaccine give me the flu?
No, the flu vaccine cannot cause influenza. The influenza shot is a killed vaccine and inactivated, hence it cannot cause the flu. The vaccine uses a single gene from the flu virus in order to produce an immune response without causing infection.
What about people who get a flu vaccine and still get sick with the flu symptoms?
There are several reasons why someone might get flu symptoms even after they have been vaccinated against flu vaccine:
- Getting the flu vaccine only protects against influenza, not other bacteria or viruses which may cause influenza-like symptoms. The flu vaccine does NOT prevent against colds, ear infections, pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus infections, gastroenteritis, or pink eye. The flu shot only protects against influenza.
- It takes about two weeks for the flu vaccine to be effective. Therefore, someone may still catch influenza during these first 2 weeks.
- The flu vaccine covers only four strains of flu virus. There are other strains of flu virus which may be responsible for the infection.
- The flu vaccine does not have a 100% protection rate and may vary from season to season.
Is it better to get the flu than the flu vaccine?
No. Influenza can be a serious disease, particularly among young children, older adults, and people with certain chronic health conditions (such as asthma, heart disease, or diabetes). Influenza can cause serious complications, including hospitalization or death, even among otherwise healthy children and adults.
Do I really need a flu vaccine every year?
Yes. The CDC recommends yearly flu vaccination for just about everyone six months and older. The reason for repeating the vaccine yearly is because the immune protection from the vaccine declines overtime and the influenza strains change every year.
Why medical snovitra super power myytavana suomessa verkossa do some people not feel well after getting the influenza vaccine?
Some people report having mild reactions to flu vaccination. The most common side effects are soreness, redness, tenderness, or swelling where the shot was given. Low-grade fever, headache and muscle ache also may occur. If this reaction occurs, they usually begin soon after the shot was given and last for 1-2 days. In a double-blinded study where some people got flu shots and others got salt water shots, the only difference in symptoms was increased soreness in the arm and redness at the injection site among people who got the flu shot. There were no differences in terms of body ache, fever, cough, runny nose, or sore throat.
And what about serious reactions to the flu vaccine?
Serious life-threatening allergic reaction can happen after taking any food or medicine similar to the flu vaccine. If a serious reaction occurs, it happens soon after the vaccination and they are treatable.
Common Signs & Symptoms of Flu
Fever* or feeling feverish/chills, Cough, Sore throat, Runny or stuffy nose, Muscles or body aches, Headaches, Fatigue (tiredness), Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults. (*It’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever)
Are there any medications for influenza?
Yes. Clinical benefit is greatest when the antiviral medication is started within 48 hours or earlier from the time. As per CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend antiviral drugs to treat confirmed or suspected flu in children with severe, complicated, or progressive illness, or who are hospitalized with confirmed or suspected flu, as early as possible. Prompt initiation of antiviral treatment also is recommended for children who are at high risk of serious flu complications and who have confirmed or suspected flu of any severity. Children at high risk of flu-related complications include children younger than 5 years old (especially those younger than 2 years) and children of any age with certain chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes, or heart or lung disease. of onset of symptoms.
Treatment and Prophylaxis of Influenza
| Antiviral Agent | Use | Children | Adults |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Oseltamivir |
Treatment (5 days)1 |
If younger than 1 yr old: 3 mg/kg/dose twice daily If 1 yr or older, dose varies by child’s weight: 15 kg or less, the dose is 30 mg twice a day >15 to 23 kg, the dose is 45 mg twice a day >23 to 40 kg, the dose is 60 mg twice a day >40 kg, the dose is 75 mg twice a day |
75 mg twice daily |
| Chemo-prophylaxis (7 days)5 |
If child is younger than 3 months old, use of oseltamivir for chemoprophylaxis is not recommended unless situation is judged critical due to limited data in this age group. If child is 3 months or older and younger than 1 yr old 3 mg/kg/dose once daily If 1 yr or older, dose varies by child’s weight: 15 kg or less, the dose is 30 mg once a day >15 to 23 kg, the dose is 45 mg once a day >23 to 40 kg, the dose is 60 mg once a day >40 kg, the dose is 75 mg once a day |
75 mg once daily |
Side effects of Tamiflu
These medications have side effects like diarrhea, nausea, headache, dizziness. This not the complete list of all the side effects. Your doctor will discuss the benefits and side effects of anti-viral medication for influenza. Tamiflu is used to treat infants from two weeks of age and older who have flu. Tamiflu is also used for prevention of flu in children one year of age or older, but it is not a substitute for getting flu vaccine.
How long is influenza infectious to others?
People with the flu are most contagious in the first 3 to 4 days after their illness begins. People with a good immune system are contagious one day prior to symptoms to 5-7 days after becoming sick. Children and people with weak immune systems may spread the virus longer than seven days.
Picture/ Image taken from the-scientist.com
