Published: Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Doctors list danger signs for kids with flu
Max Gomez was a bright-eyed 5-year-old who just started kindergarten when he developed sniffles and a fever. His mother figured it was only a cold.
Three days later, the Antioch, Tenn., boy was dead, apparently from swine flu.
At least 76 American children have died since April from the new virus, and doctors are urging parents to watch for warning signs that the flu has become life-threatening.
In children, these signs are:
Fast or troubled breathing.
Bluish skin color.
Lack of thirst.
Failure to wake up easily or interact.
I rritability so that the child does not want to be held.
Improvement of symptoms, then a return to fever and worse cough.
Fever with a rash.
Parents should also seek medical help if flu symptoms develop in children most vulnerable to flu complications: those younger than 5 or with high-risk conditions, including asthma and other lung problems.
A recent report from the CDC found that one-third of pediatric deaths from the new H1N1 virus were in children like Max, with no known underlying condition that would put them at risk.
Commenting on the recent deaths in his state, New Mexico’s health chief, Dr. Alfredo Vigil, told residents not to panic, but to take swine flu seriously.
That means kids should get vaccinations for both ordinary flu and swine flu when the vaccine is available, and stay home from school if they are sick. Mild cases should be treated at home with rest and plenty of fluids, but parents should call their doctor if more serious symptoms develop.
Three days later, the Antioch, Tenn., boy was dead, apparently from swine flu.
At least 76 American children have died since April from the new virus, and doctors are urging parents to watch for warning signs that the flu has become life-threatening.
In children, these signs are:
I
Parents should also seek medical help if flu symptoms develop in children most vulnerable to flu complications: those younger than 5 or with high-risk conditions, including asthma and other lung problems.
A recent report from the CDC found that one-third of pediatric deaths from the new H1N1 virus were in children like Max, with no known underlying condition that would put them at risk.
Commenting on the recent deaths in his state, New Mexico’s health chief, Dr. Alfredo Vigil, told residents not to panic, but to take swine flu seriously.
That means kids should get vaccinations for both ordinary flu and swine flu when the vaccine is available, and stay home from school if they are sick. Mild cases should be treated at home with rest and plenty of fluids, but parents should call their doctor if more serious symptoms develop.
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