9-year-old Randolph County girl dies from flu complications, signs of severe illness in children – The Times of India

A heartbreaking tragedy has struck a Randolph County family as 9-year-old Madeline Vernon lost her life to flu complications. The little girl woke up with a high fever of 104.9 degrees on January 28 and died a day later.
Her parents are now urging others to take precautions, including getting vaccinated, as the flu season reaches its peak in the United States.
Flu cases have reached the highest levels in 15 years, and young children, the elderly, and those with underlying conditions are at the greatest risk.
“Tuesday morning [Jan. 28] when she got up, she had a fever of 104.9 [degrees],” Edging said. “We took her back to urgent care because I took her to the hospital the night before, and her lung was nothing but infection.”
Flu has been spreading fast in the United States and a second wave has gripped the nation, making the flu season longer than previous years. Children, older adults and immunocompromised people or those with chronic conditions, need to especially be careful as they are at a greater risk of severe illness.

Here’s a list of flu complications in children:

Pneumonia: One of the most worrying complications of flu in children is pneumonia, an illness where the lungs get infected and inflamed.
Dehydration: When a child’s body loses too much water and salts, they can develop dehydration which can raise the risk of complications. This can increase the chances of seizures, shock, and organ damage due to electrolyte imbalance.
Worsening of long-term medical problems like heart disease or asthma.
Brain dysfunction such as encephalopathy. Symptoms include impaired consciousness, seizures, and signs of increased intracranial pressure.
In rare cases, flu complications can lead to death.

Here are signs of severe illness in children by CDC:

Fast breathing or trouble breathing
Bluish lips or face
Ribs pulling in with each breath
Chest pain
Severe muscle pain (child refuses to walk)
Dehydration (no urine for 8 hours, dry mouth, no tears when crying)
Not alert or interacting when awake
Seizures
Fever above 104 degrees Fahrenheit that is not controlled by fever-reducing medicine
In children younger than 12 weeks, any fever
Fever or cough that improve but then return or worsen
Worsening of chronic medical conditions

How to protect children from flu

Flu vaccine: A yearly flu vaccine cannot only reduce the risk of flu in children but also cut down risk of hospitalisation and death in kids. For children 6 months or above, an annual flu vaccine is a must.
Encourage regular handwashing with soap and water to reduce the spread of germs. Keep your child away from individuals who are sick.
Teach your child to use a tissue or their elbow to cover coughs and sneezes.
Regularly disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
(Picture courtesy: iStock)