Flu Dangers 2020 are increasing, and they are especially increasing for children. We are bringing you the FLASS Parent’s Primer for the flu in this blog, Flu Dangers 2020: The FLASS Parent Primer. The doctors and health professionals of FLASS want you to use this as a guide to keeping your child safe from Flu Dangers 2020. As we are watching the statistics here at FLASS, we are having mounting concerns over pediatric cases of flu.

Protect Your Child From Flu Dangers 2020.

Flu Dangers in 2020 Could Threaten Your Child’s Life.

Recently, the Florida Department of Health reported, “Influenza and influenza-like illness activity remained particularly elevated in children for this time in the season.”…”They declared, “About one in 10 visits among children at participating emergency department and urgent care centers were for influenza-like illnesses…” Moreover, they added, the majority of influenza and influenza-like outbreaks were reported by facilities serving children.”

Such statements have motivated us to create this blog in two parts, this week and next week. And we have named it not only “Flu Dangers 2020,” but also “Parent’s Primer for the Flu.” We are putting the primer in this blog– Then also, in Part 2– especially to alert and inform parents that flu presents a serious danger to their children. Welcome to a guide to help parents distinguish the difference between regular flu and potentially lethal flu symptoms.

 

The First Bitter Lessons:  Backstory for the FLASS Flu Primer for Parents

As long ago as Thanksgiving 2019, The Florida Department of Health (Department) encouraged, all “unvaccinated residents to get their flu shot as soon as possible.” Once again, the doctors and healthcare professionals at FLASS state, “Flu vaccination is the best way to prevent the flu and its heart-rending complications.”

 

A Few More Bitter Statistics of Flu Dangers 2020:  The Flu Truth

And still, there are 4 pediatric deaths on record in Florida. This is a sad beginning for 2020. And none of them, not one of these four children had been given a flu shot.

You might already know these 2020 Flu Facts:

  • The CDC estimates there are 6.4 million cases of influenza in the 2019-2020 season so far.
  • We have discovered there have been over more 55,000 flu-related hospitalizations.
  • But the saddest fact of all is that 2,900 people have lost their lives in this season’s onslaught of flu and flu-related deaths. For more Florida flu statistics, we invite you to visit the Health Department’s Florida Flu Review online resource.

Flu Dangers 2020: The Mindset

At FLASS, We Take Flu Seriously!

Lesson one in our Parent’s Primer for the Flu is to defeat the myth that the flu is just a bad cold.  There is only a myth. However, many parents still believe the flu is related to a bad cold. No. FLASS believes we must rethink that mind-set:  The flu is a serious “respiratory illness that kills as many as 56,000 people every year in the United States.” Please do not take the flu lightly. Pay close attention to your child’s health during this season of flu dangers.

 

Flu Dangers 2020:  Children, Beware! Parents, Be Aware!

Now the segment of this statistic that seems to get the most attention is the over-65-age group. It might be true that the majority of these deaths are in people over age 65 years old.

However, that does not in any way lessen the tragedy of the fact that on average “more than 100 children die each year from flu.” Likewise, “young children are especially vulnerable to potentially deadly flu-related complications like pneumonia or sepsis.”

 

The Parent’s Primer: Introducing Danger Signs and Deadly Symptoms

What’s more, parents are always shocked when the flu turns critical or deadly.  Thus, below you will find the symptoms you need to watch.

You see, many flu-related deaths are not the immediate result of the flu virus.  They are the result of reactions caused by the virus.  There are 3 ways Flu can become fatal to your child:

Many healthy children recover from the flu, and we do not mean to alarm you unjustly.  However, sometimes your child might need more medical attention than you can give him or her.  “Two-thirds of children who died from flu from 2010-2016 did so within just a week of having symptoms, so spotting warning signs early is critical.”

 

1.    Are You Noticing the Thermometer?

This is a Serious Respiratory Illness. Be Vigilant. Watch For Serious Respiratory Signs.

Notice how high the child’s fever goes and how long it goes on. Yes, we know a children’s temperatures can spike. And a spiking temperature is standard for the flu.  A fever signals we are fighting off disease. However, a very high fever for several days in a row is not a good sign.  The fever itself can cause damage to the body. Think of it as a cry for help. If you think the fever has gone too high or if seizures happen, call your child’s doctor instantly.

 

2.    Is Your Child Turning Blue or Changing Breath Patterns?

Remember, the flu is a respiratory illness. If you suspect flu, then observe your child for proper breathing. The flu is a respiratory illness, so “watch for signs that your child isn’t breathing properly.”

What to Watch For: If your ill child is short of breath or panting, or blue, he or she could be developing pneumonia.  Likewise, watch to see if his or her ribs are moving in sharply with every gasping breath.  And note any complaints or sounds indicating chest pain.  It’s possible that a child with such symptoms is not getting enough oxygen. Needless to say, humans of any age need oxygen for the proper operation of brains, hearts, and muscles.  

Lack of oxygen can have severe consequences including mental and behavioral changes. It can even instigate a heart attack. Again, we do not mean to alarm you. But we want you to know that if your child is not breathing properly, he or she might require medical treatment.

3.   Does Your Child Have a Severe Headache or Stiff Neck?

  • Symptoms that your child might have entered the danger zone with his or her flu include the signs of meningitis.
    “Meningitis is swelling around the brain and spine. This condition can become long-term. Likewise, you probably already know that meningitis can be fatal to children.
  • How can you test the symptom, especially if your child is not talking age? If you are not certain your child has a headache or stiff neck, gently lift his or her head and see if the chin can touch the chest.
  • If the chin cannot reach the chest, this could be a sign of meningitis, and parents and caretakers should seek immediate medical attention.

More Flu Dangers 2020 on the Horizon

There are four more big symptoms FLASS wants parents to watch for.  We will bring you the details in our next blog, but for now, here’s a brief list:

Recognize and Treat the Symptoms Early to Avoid the Really Fly Dangers 2020.

Recognize the Symptoms of the Flu. Early Detection and Anti-Virals Can Aid Your Child’s Recovery.

  • Dehydration: We always watch for dehydration when children have a stomach virus. However, you might not realize it is a possible complication of respiratory illnesses like the flu.
  • Extreme Irritability:  If your child rejects your touch or a kindly cuddle, be aware it could mean he or she is sicker than you think.
  • Lack of Response:  If your child is unresponsive or refuses to wake up, we suggest immediately taking him or her to the hospital or clinic.
  • Getting Better, Then Getting Worse:  If your child seems to have beaten the flu, then suddenly relapses into symptoms, realize he or she might have a secondary infection. Immediately call your child’s doctor.

As we stated above, we have more details for you about the last 4 Flu Dangers above in our next blog, Part 2. Until then we leave you with one very critical thought:  FLASS joins the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as the American Academy of Pediatrics, in a plea to parents. Please vaccinate your child against the flu.  The flu-shot will build his or her defenses. We urge you to give your family protection against the potentially deadly Dangers of Flu 2020.