Another 20 flu-related deaths have been reported in Connecticut in the last week.
Flu is widespread across most of the country and 97 deaths related to flu have been reported in Connecticut between Aug. 27 and Feb. 17.
Among those who have died from the flu, 78 were 65 years old or older, 11 were between 50 and 64, five were 25 to 49, one was between 19 and 24 and two were between 5 and 18 years old.
There have also been 1,951 hospitalizations for flu this flu season.
This flu season really took off nearly two months ago and it’s still going strong, with the concern prompting some parents to bring children to PM Pediatrics in West Hartford for treatment.
“A lot of parents are concerned about the deaths of the children,” Dr. Kari Edelson of PM Pediatrics, said.
Edelson and her staff often break out the flu tests, with up to 40 percent of patients showing flu symptoms.
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Most kids will recover. But the worry is that they don’t have a fully developed immune system.
“The children under two, sometimes under five, are at highest risk for developing complications from the flu,” Edelson said.
Edelson says it’s still not too late to get a flu shot, with this season lasting potential several more weeks.
Doctors say the decision to bring a child to a clinic, while part gut feeling, can also be based on symptoms.
Things Edelson says to look out for include:
- A fever greater than 104 that does not come down with Motrin or Tylenol
- If the child is extremely sluggish, especially with no fever
- Vomiting for more than four hours
- Not urinating for more than eight hours
- Severe ear or belly pain
- Difficulty breathing
