Pinal County, Arizona — Pinal County Health Officials issued a statement Wednesday. child died of flu It was the first childhood flu death in Arizona this season.
Health officials say this year’s flu season has started early and hospitals are overwhelmed by the amount of cases they’re seeing in emergency departments.
A total of 172 laboratory-confirmed flu cases have been reported in the county since the flu season began, with a total of 4,552 cases reported in Arizona, according to Pinal County officials.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone 6 months and older get the flu vaccine. Even if you do get the flu, the vaccine prevents hospitalization and death.
Doctors say it takes two weeks for the immune system to build defenses against the flu, so it’s important to get the vaccine as soon as possible.
In addition to the vaccine, health experts recommend protecting yourself and others from the flu. Avoid touching your mouth and nose, wash your hands frequently, cover your cough with your sleeve, and stay home when you are sick.
Not only is there an epidemic of influenza across the United States, including in Arizona, but cases of RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) and COVID-19 are on the rise, doctors say.
Officials say both influenza and RSV were responsible for this child’s death.
Doctors say flu symptoms usually come on suddenly. People with the flu often experience some or all of the following symptoms:
- Fever* or feeling feverish/chills
- cough
- sore throat
- runny or stuffy nose
- muscle or body pain
- headache
- tiredness
- Some people have vomiting and diarrhea, which are more common in children than adults.
It’s also important to note that not everyone who gets the flu develops a fever.
There is no vaccine for RSV, but if you plan to get the flu shot or any other vaccination, vaccine.gov The location of the nearest vaccine provider.
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