Influenza is an annual event caused by a virus which changes each year. That is why patients need to have a new influenza vaccine annually. The vaccines given in past year do not cover the new strains which appear. Most of the strains we see annually are somewhat related and can cause significant complications in the healthy population as well as in the population with underlying medical issues.
Every year, in the US, approximately 36,000 people die of the flu and related complications. This new flu which has been around since the spring of this year has taken a toll with about 1000 patients dying including 100 children (this is over six months time). The majority of these deaths have occurred in patients with other medical conditions however, this has not been exclusively the case and some healthy patients may have severe complications and even die. It is important to keep things in perspective and if your child gets sick, to be armed with information and not worry needlessly.
The signs and symptoms of the flu (all types) are a quick onset of fever with a dry cough. There are often accompanying body aches and many patients complain of eyeball aches. There may be vomiting also. Not all patients will have all symptoms. If your child has these and has no other medical issues, routine health measures for comfort are all that is needed. If your child is young (under two years old) or has other health issues we should discuss whether we should see your child or manage at home without a visit to our office. Additionally, if your previously well child appears to be compromised in areas of shortness of breath, significant vomiting, acting strangely, or you are just uncomfortable with his/her appearance, call us ASAP. The CDC no longer recommends the use of a flu test as the in-office test is not that reliable and better diagnoses are made using a history and physical diagnostic skills. The use of antiviral medications has also been discouraged in healthy patients in order to avoid development of resistance by the virus to these medications.
The best way to prevent the disease is vaccinating, but there is at the time of this writing only a limited supply as well as a limited resource availability to administer the vaccine. If you want the vaccine, consider all possible sources. Our office supply of seasonal flu vaccine was reduced as the manufacturers were told to shift their production from seasonal to swine flu. All of the swine flu vaccine was sent to the public health sector who in turn have distributed it to multiple sites including, to a limited extent, our office. We will be sending out information about what we have and what we can reasonably be expected to administer via email and on our website.
Keep in mind this is not a panic situation and with your help we can weather this storm together and not fall into the trap of fear that is not warranted.
