Among Kids The Biggest Worry Right Now Is Rsv
Kids and older adults typically bear the brunt of the flu season. Thats true this year, too. Among the small number of hospitalizations so far, those 65 and older and those 5 and younger have the highest rates.
But flu isnt the most significant respiratory virus stalking children right now in Colorado nor is it the second-most significant. Estimates of hospitalization rates for RSV respiratory syncytial virus were 82 times higher than those for flu in November. Pediatric hospitalization rates for COVID-19 were also significantly higher.
Does My Child Need Tamiflu
The CDC recommends Tamiflu for anyone who develops severe symptoms or for high-risk children with any flu symptoms. High-risk children are those with underlying chronic health problems or healthy children under 2 years old.
Tamiflu is not helpful if more than 48 hours have passed since the start of the flu symptoms, unless your child is hospitalized or has high-risk medical conditions. If your child is otherwise healthy and over age 2, they should do fine without Tamiflu.
The Fever Is Gone Why Is My Child Still Coughing
Fever disappears when the immune system starts producing antibodies to fight the virus. The cough normally continues for two or three weeks due to a damaged lining of the throat and windpipe. Recent research showed that honey was more effective at quieting coughs than over-the-counter cough medicines. If coughing is non-stop and interferes with normal activities, however, your child should see a doctor to rule out underlying asthma, which can be well-controlled with asthma medicines.
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Find Out What’s Happening In Arvadawith Free Real
The geographic spread of flu activity does not measure the severity of the virus, but seasonal influenza activity throughout the nation has now been elevated for seven weeks in a row.
The CDC’s surveillance of influenza-like-illness measures the level of flu activity within a state. According to the latest data, flu activity is high in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, New York City and 25 states, including Colorado. Moderate activity was reported in six states, and nine states had low activity. Data were insufficient to calculate an activity level in Alaska, Florida, Idaho and North Dakota.
Csu Staff And Faculty
Any employee covered under a CSU Anthem plan or a state UHC or Kaiser plan can get a flu shot at no cost as long as it is administered at an in-network pharmacy or health care provider. Call the number on the back of your insurance card to determine in-network locations.
Those with Medicaid coverage, who are uninsured, or who have health insurance that does not cover the flu shot can visit the Larimer County Health Departmentto receive a flu shot. Call 498-6700 to make an appointment.
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My Child Hurts Everywhere Is That Serious
The flu can cause soreness everywhere: headache, back pain, chest pain and leg pain. To soothe sore muscles, give ibuprofen to reduce inflammation every 6 hours, up to 4 times a day as needed. To prevent stomach irritation, always administer pain medication with food. If pain is severe and lasts more than 90 minutes after taking ibuprofen, your child probably should see a doctor.
Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours
- High-Risk child for complications of flu. Includes children with other chronic diseases. . Also, includes healthy children less than 2 years old.
- Nonstop coughing spells
- Sinus pain
- Fever lasts more than 3 days
- Fever returns after being gone more than 24 hours
- You think your child needs to be seen, but the problem is not urgent
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Covid Hospitalizations Far Exceed Even The Worst Flu Seasons
There really is no comparison between the flu and COVID. Hospitalization rates for the coronavirus have far exceeded flu hospitalization rates for all recent years. In November, the hospitalization rate among all age groups for COVID was 188 times higher than the hospitalization rate for flu.
But, Roth said, this is all the more reason to take the flu seriously. Even though the risk of hospitalization is lower, now is not a good time to take that gamble.
Hospitals remain crowded places. Even though COVID hospitalizations have fallen in recent weeks, more than 1,300 people are currently hospitalized with the coronavirus in Colorado. The states hospital intensive-care units are 95% full and, according to federal data, nearly 38% of people in the ICU in Colorado are there with COVID.
Getting vaccinated against both the flu and COVID will help reduce the strain on hospitals and also reduce the likelihood that you will end up in the hospital with either, Roth said. A flu vaccine can also limit the risk of passing the virus to someone who is vulnerable. The COVID and flu vaccines can be administered at the same time just in different arms or, at least, 1 inch apart from one another in the same arm.
About 56% of Coloradans 65 and older have gotten a flu vaccine this year, Roth said. But only about 18% of those ages 20 to 39 have.
Find Out What’s Happening In Across Coloradowith Free Real
In addition to the increase of nearly 4 million cases, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported the death toll from influenza-related illnesses climbed to nearly 10,000 people 14 this week were children.
Since the flu season began, there has been one pediatric death in Colorado. The child’s death was reported in the week ending Jan. 18. Health officials have not released information about which strain the death was associated with.
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Administering Flu Vaccines During The Covid
CDC has released Interim Guidance for Immunization Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic. This guidance is intended to help immunization providers in a variety of clinical and alternative settings with the safe administration of vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic. This guidance will be continually reassessed and updated based on the evolving epidemiology of COVID-19 in the United States. Healthcare providers who give vaccines should also consult guidance from state, local, tribal, and territorial health officials.
Information about coadministration of COVID-19 and other vaccines is available. .
How To Figure Out If You Have The Spring Flu Or Covid
So, what should you do if youre feeling sick?
Get tested, Barron advises.
Since COVID-19 is widespread, you can get tested first for the coronavirus.
If you test negative for COVID-19, and you havent had exposure to people with the flu, you could be getting a false negative for COVID-19 or you could have the flu. The symptoms are similar: fever, body aches, cough, Barron said.
Furthermore, a small number of people have gotten sick with both COVID-19 and the flu at the same time.
That kind of double whammy is not common, Barron said.
Nonetheless, its good to get tested. COVID-19 tests are available both at home and at health facilities. Please keep in mind that home tests are not as reliable as a nasal swab, PCR tests. With an at-home test, you can get false-negative results. So, if youre feeling sick, be careful about exposing other people.
To get a flu test, contact your doctors office.
If you test positive for either the flu or COVID-19, there are treatments you can get to shorten the duration of your illness or reduce the severity. Barron advises people to act fast.
The antiviral medication that helps fight the flu is called Tamiflu and people need to start taking it quickly, within about 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.
If you test positive for COVID-19, you might also qualify to get additional treatments. Its best to start these treatments within about five days of symptom onset.
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How Can I Help Prevent The Flu
- Get vaccinated. The CDC recommends all adults and children older than 6 months receive a flu shot.
- Hand washing is one of the most important things you can do to protect yourself and others.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick, too.
- Stay home when you are sick to prevent others from catching your illness. If possible, stay home from work, school, or public places until at least 24 hours after a fever has ceased without the use of fever-reducing medications.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. If you don’t have a tissue, then cough or sneeze into your sleeve. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
- If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow, not your hands.
- Clean your hands after coughing or sneezing, washing with soap and water, or with alcohol-based hand cleaner.
- Avoid touching your faceoften because germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth.
The Peak Of Flu Season Can Come Anytime Between Late December And February
Flu season is underway, and all regions of the country are seeing elevated levels of the illness. Government health officials say there have already been at least 4.6 million illnesses, 39,000 hospitalizations and 2,100 deaths from the flu.
So far, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says most illnesses are the result of the influenza B/Victoria viruses, which the agency said is unusual for this time of year. The next most-common virus in circulation is the A/H1N1, and it’s increasing in proportion relative to other influenza viruses in some regions.
The latest data from the agency current as of the week ending Dec. 21 shows that the virus is widespread in 39 states, including Colorado.
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Flu Surveillance Data Updates
Were there any updates in the methods for flu surveillance for 2020-2021?
For the 2020-2021 flu season, there were some changes to FluView surveillance methodology.
In addition to state-level data, the influenza-like-illness activity map displayed ILI activity by Core-based Statistical Areas , a U.S. geographic area defined by the Office of Management and Budget that consists of one or more counties anchored by an urban center of at least 10,000 people plus adjacent counties that are socioeconomically tied to the urban center by commuting.
Also, during most flu seasons, state and territorial health departments report the level of geographic spread of flu activity in their jurisdictions each week through the State and Territorial Epidemiologists Report. However, because COVID-19 and influenza have similar symptoms and it is difficult to differentiate the two without laboratory testing, reporting for this system was suspended for the 2020-21 influenza season.
More information on flu surveillance methodology and these updates is available online.
Why was pneumonia, influenza, and COVID-19 mortality data added to FluView Interactive?
Does My Child Need To See A Doctor For The Flu
For serious symptoms such as trouble breathing, rapid breathing or dehydration, bring your child to the doctor immediately. For non-urgent symptoms such as an earache or sinus pain, go to the doctor within 24 hours. Most healthy children with the flu don’t develop any of these complications and can easily be treated at home.
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Getting A Flu Vaccine During The Covid
Yes. Getting a flu vaccine is an essential part of protecting your health and your familys health this season. To protect your health when getting a flu vaccine, follow CDCs recommendations for running essential errands and doctor visits. Continue to take everyday preventive actions.
When going to get a flu vaccine, practice everyday preventive actions and follow CDC recommendations for running essential errands.
Ask your doctor, pharmacist, or health department if they are following CDCs vaccination pandemic guidance. Any vaccination location following CDCs guidance should be a safe place for you to get a flu vaccine.
You can safely get a flu vaccine at multiple locations including your doctors office, health departments, and pharmacies. You can use VaccineFinder.orgexternal iconexternal icon to find where flu vaccines are available near you. When going to get a flu vaccine, be sure to practice everyday preventive actions.
Ask your doctor, pharmacist, or health department if they are following CDCs vaccination pandemic guidance. Any vaccination location following CDCs guidance should be a safe place for you to get a flu vaccine.
Vaccination of people at high risk for flu complications is especially important to decrease their risk of severe flu illness. Many people at higher risk from flu also seem to be at higher risk from COVID-19. If you are at high risk, it is especially important for you to get a flu vaccine this year.
Flu Schedule For Each Clinic
Due to COVID-19 procedures and protocols, we will only be administering the flu vaccine with your allergy shot or during an office visit. We will not offer walk-in clinics this season. If this does not work for your schedule, we encourage you to contact your Primary Care Physician or local pharmacy. For more information you can call your clinic.
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Can I Alternate Tylenol And Ibuprofen
It’s rarely necessary to rotate these two medicines, and we don’t recommend it routinely. If your child’s doctor does recommend it, however, we suggest you only rotate the medicines for fevers over 104F that do not come down 2 degrees with one medicine alone.
To safely alternate fever medication, administer acetaminophen every 4 hours, and alternate with ibuprofen every 6 hours. To avoid the risk of overdose, do not alternate medicines for more than 24 hours.
- Do not give aspirin if your child or teen has the flu.
- Get information about acetaminophen and ibuprofen drug dosage from your doctor or pharmacist.
New Concerns Over Flu Season In Colorado
DENVER Health officials are keeping a close eye on our neighboring states when it comes to monitoring and tracking flu cases.
Here in Colorado, cases are still low. But flu season has just begun, and theres new concern we could be in for some rough months ahead.
The problem, according to health officials, is flu season is notoriously unpredictable.
But given how more people are traveling right now and COVID restrictions have loosened, health experts fear Coloradans wont take the same safety measures they took last flu season.
State data shows last season, only 34 people in our state were hospitalized due to the flu.
However, the season before, in 2019-2020, about 3,500 people were hospitalized.
Some doctors believe we could see similar numbers this year.
While Colorados flu cases are rather low right now, neighboring states like Wyoming are seeing an uptick in cases, leading them towards a moderate level.
To the south of us, in New Mexico, flu cases in late August were in a somewhat high category and have slowly been dipping back down.
Health officials say we could see an uptick in cases in our state, based off our neighbors current statistics.
One thing experts at National Jewish Health in Denver say we have working in our favor is: the southern hemispheres flu season this Summer was rather mild, which tends to bode well for us.
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Seasonal Flu Prevention And Care
Influenza is caused by the influenza virus that infects the respiratory tract, affecting the nose, throat and lungs.
The flu can cause severe illness and life-threatening complications, like bacterial pneumonia and dehydration. It can also cause chronic medical conditions to worsen.
Because each flu season is different and the virus evolves over time, the infectious disease specialists at UCHealth continually monitor the latest developments. Were equipped with the latest tools for detecting, treating, and preventing the flu in our communities.
Flu Season Likely To Be Comparable To More Severe Years Officials Say
Colorado had an unprecedentedly mild flu season last year, thanks in large part to the benefit brought by COVID-19 efforts, changes in classrooms and a push to bolster flu vaccinations.
Though it’s impossible to predict what this year will bring, health officials said, it’s unlikely to be that quiet again.
“There were 34 hospitalizations last year, compared to, I think, 3,500 the year before,” said Eric France, the state’s chief medical officer. “It’s going to be something more like that.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has not ended, and there remain patches of Colorado where the measures used to blunt it remain in effect. Many school districts still require masks and social distancing, France said, which will help slow the spread of all respiratory illnesses, from COVID-19 to influenza and RSV.
But unlike late last winter, students are consistently in school, and there’s already been unprecedented spikes in RSV hospitalizations, pediatric health officials have said.
The flu season typically begins in October, peaks between late December and February, and begins to peter out in the spring. At this time last year, state health officials were pushing flu vaccinations hard. That was primarily to blunt those 3,500 hospitalizations, which would’ve come as the state was weathering a COVID-19 surge that landed roughly 2,000 Coloradans in the hospital at once.
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