Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

COVID-19 News

Dallas County reports first pediatric flu death of 2022

Pediatric hospitals are inundated with flu and RSV cases as COVID-19 public health measures wane.

A drive-thru clinic
A drive-thru clinic was conducted in Grand Prairie earlier this fall.(Liesbeth Powers / Staff Photographer)

By Marin Wolf

Dallas County Health and Human Services has reported its first pediatric flu death this year as flu cases continue to climb unseasonably early.

The patient, who was not an infant, had underlying health conditions, said Dr. Philip Huang, director of Dallas County Health and Human Services.

The county had no pediatric flu deaths during the 2021-22 flu season as COVID-19 public health measures kept the contagious virus at bay. But that changed as masking and social distancing dwindled in the last year.

Pediatric hospitals are dealing with an onslaught of patients with the flu and RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus. Experts say children are finally catching the viruses they hadn’t contracted during the height of the pandemic.

While most older children and adults fare just fine against the flu or RSV, some populations are at risk for serious complications from the viruses. Infants, children with compromised immune systems and the elderly are more likely to experience severe disease from the flu.

Symptoms of the flu, RSV and COVID-19 look similar and can include cough, congestion, fever and body aches. Pediatricians are also reporting that many flu patients are experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms, like vomiting and diarrhea, which can cause dehydration.

Good health hygiene practices, like regular hand washing and staying home when sick, remain some of the best ways to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses. Vaccinations against the flu and COVID-19 are available for most age groups.

Written By

Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

ADVERTISEMENT

IMM MASK Promos

ADVERTISEMENT

You May Also Like

Editorial

By Julia Lothrop Cooler weather makes for a nice change from the summer heat—but fall is also the time when more people in Washington...

Dallas Morning News

Botham Jean’s family, the Dallas County district attorney’s office, and more than 6,300 people who signed an online petition protested her parole.

Dallas Morning News

Cecilia Castellano’s House race against Don McLaughlin Jr. attracts national, international attention.v

Dallas Morning News

The report was tweaked to remove any mention of who’s at fault for violating contractual requirements

Advertisement