Pinal County on Wednesday confirmed its first childhood flu death in Arizona during a flu season that arrived earlier than usual.
Both influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) were responsible for the child’s death, according to Pinal County health officials.
“Unfortunately, this tragic situation is a reminder that influenza can cause serious illness and death,” Pinal County Public Health Service District Director Tasha Spears said in a statement. “My deepest condolences to this child’s family.”
According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, the number of flu cases reported in Arizona is 26 times higher than last season’s flu so far. data The week ending November 19th is 11 times the normal flu season. According to ADHS, a total of 3 children died during the 2021-22 flu season and 0 deaths during the 2020-21 season.
Influenza is hitting the US earlier than usual As of November 12th, seven children in the United States have died from the flu. According to the Centers for Disease Control and PreventionLast season’s total was 44, and there was only one pediatric death the year before. This was likely due to sheltering and masking that kept the respiratory virus at bay during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the 2019-2020 flu season, the CDC reported that 199 of her children died from the flu.
As of Nov. 19, 4,552 cases of flu have been reported statewide, and although the current flu season officially began on Oct. 2, Arizona typically doesn’t have much flu until December or January. You won’t get hit. The number of reported cases represents a small fraction of the true number of flu cases, state officials said.
RSV also spreads earlier than a typical flu season and contributes to increased patient numbers in hospitals, including emergency rooms.
The early arrival of the flu has caused several hospital systems in Arizona to impose earlier-than-normal visitor restrictions.
The CDC recommends getting the flu vaccine for everyone over the age of 6 months. It usually takes two weeks after vaccination for the immune system to build defenses against influenza.No vaccine against RSV is currently available
In addition to vaccines, Pinal County health officials say it’s important for Arizonans to protect themselves and others from the flu. This includes taking care of good hygiene, avoiding touching your mouth and nose, washing your hands frequently, covering your cough with a sleeve, and staying put. Go home when sick.
Flu symptoms usually appear suddenly and may include some or all of the following:
- You may have a fever or fever/chills, but not everyone with the flu will have a fever.
- cough
- sore throat
- runny or stuffy nose
- muscle or body pain
- headache
- fatigue (fatigue)
- Some people have vomiting and diarrhea, which are more common in children than adults.
Contact Health Reporter Stephanie.Innes@gannett.com or at 602-444-8369. follow her on her twitter @stephanieinnes.
