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Four children in Colorado have died from flu-related illnesses so far this flu season, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Health officials say an unusually high number that has doctors urging parents to stay alert.
State health officials say the flu season started earlier than usual this year, with activity peaking near the end of December. While overall flu severity has been moderate for adults, doctors say the impact on children has been significantly more serious.
“For our pediatric population, this has been a high severity influenza season,” said Dr. Rachel Herlihy, the state epidemiologist with CDPHE. “Unfortunately, we’ve seen that play out in our surveillance numbers and in the tragic pediatric deaths we’ve seen in Colorado.”
Health officials point to the emergence of a new strain of the H3N2 influenza virus as one factor contributing to the severity. Dr. Herlihy says children may have less immunity to this strain, increasing the risk of serious illness and hospitalization.
Doctors say even healthy children can experience severe complications from the flu.
“We are seeing a lot of flu cases,” said Dr. Ming Frank Wu, a primary care physician with AdventHealth Littleton. “Children’s immune systems aren’t as developed, and flu symptoms can progress very quickly.”
Dr. Wu says parents should watch for warning signs, including children not drinking fluids, decreased urination, extreme fatigue, lack of interaction or high fevers above 104 degrees. He urges parents to contact a medical provider immediately if symptoms worsen.
Both state health officials and doctors emphasize vaccination as the most effective way to prevent severe illness. The flu vaccine is recommended for children six months and older. Early testing and treatment can also help reduce the severity of symptoms.
Doctors also encourage families to take simple steps to prevent the spread of illness, including keeping sick children home, frequent handwashing, masking when appropriate and staying hydrated.
Health officials warn flu season can last into the spring, and parents are urged to remain vigilant in the weeks ahead.