School-age child in Placer County dies of complications from the flu, health officials say
Placer County Public Health announced Tuesday that a school-age child died from complications from influenza at a regional hospital. Before contracting the flu, the child had been in good health.
“The loss of a child to influenza is heartbreaking and we extend our deepest sympathy to the family,” said Placer County Health Officer Dr. Aimee Sisson. “This is a tragic reminder of just how serious influenza can be. I urge everyone to get an annual flu vaccine.”
Citing privacy laws, county officials declined to say whether the child had been immunized or had attended public school. Flu shots are recommended annually for everyone 6 months and older, but they are particularly important for young children, pregnant women, adults aged 65 and older and people with long-term health conditions.
“While the flu shot doesn’t guarantee you won’t get the flu, it does reduce the severity of the flu,” Sisson said. “Getting vaccinated reduces flu illnesses, doctor’s visits, missed days of school and work, and flu-related hospitalizations and deaths. Please, please get a flu vaccination if you haven’t already.”
Placer County reported its first flu death of the 2019-2020 season in November. That case involved a 75-year-old man who had other underlying health conditions. The California Department of Public Health reported Friday that, between Sept. 29 and Dec. 21, at least 46 people have died statewide as a result of flu infections.
Symptoms of influenza can come on quickly, and they include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headaches, body aches, chills, and fatigue. If you think you have the flu, contact a medical provider because they may be able to prescribe an antiviral medication if they catch it within the first 48 hours.
Those drugs may reduce the severity and duration of illness. Antibiotics are not effective against the flu.
The Influenza B viruses are the most common strains circulating in California right now, Sisson said, and those viruses are particularly dangerous for children. Flu activity is elevated across the entire state, California health officials said.
There’s a common myth, Sisson said, that the flu shot causes the flu, but the virus in the shot is inactive and cannot cause flu symptoms. This year’s vaccine has inactive strains of the Influenza B/Victoria and B/Yamagata viruses , the Influenza A H1N1 virus (commonly called swine flu) and the Influenza A H3N2 virus.
To help contain the spread of flu, doctors recommend that you cover coughs and sneezes with tissue or your elbow, not your hands; wash hands often and stay at home if you’re sick.
This story was originally published December 31, 2019 at 3:05 PM.
