Have you heard of the recent flu outbreak? The US is currently being significantly affected by it. Even if you’ve already had a common cold, which is a respiratory ailment brought on by viruses that evolve every year, you can still get it. The flu season this year began earlier than usual and has been more severe than in years past. Patients seeking treatment are flooding hospitals around the nation. Nearly all states have had high levels of influenza activity, according to the CDC, with children and the elderly being particularly at risk for serious complications. Due to outbreaks, several schools have had to close, so it’s important to take precautions like constantly washing your hands and remaining at home if you’re unwell to stop the virus from spreading.

Why Children Are at Risk of Flu?

For a number of reasons, children are thought to be more prone to flu complications than adults are. Here are a few potential reasons:

1- Immune systems that are still developing: Young children’s immune systems, especially those under the age of five, may not be as successful in warding off illnesses like the flu.

2- Lack of prior exposure: Compared to adults, children have experienced fewer flu virus variants. They may be more susceptible to developing a serious disease when they do contract the virus because their immune systems have not been exposed to as many different strains of it.

3- Limited vaccine protection: The flu vaccine may not provide full protection against all circulating strains, even though vaccination is advised for children, especially those aged 6 months to 5 years. Unvaccinated children or those who have not yet built up immunity from prior immunizations may be more vulnerable to the virus.

4- Close contact in school settings: Children frequently spend a large amount of time in close touch with their peers in educational or childcare settings. Due to their close closeness, children are more likely to contract the flu and transfer it to others.

5- Underlying health conditions: Some kids may be more prone to flu-related problems due to underlying health issues like asthma, diabetes, or weakened immune systems.

Symptoms of the Flu in Children

Although flu symptoms in children often resemble those in adults, they may appear differently or be more severe in younger people. Here are a few typical flu signs that kids may experience:

1- Fever: A sudden rise in temperature, usually above 100.4°F or 38°C, is a classic sign of the flu in kids.

2- Cough: Children who have the flu may experience a dry or productive cough that lasts for a while and gets worse.

3- Sore throat: Children may develop sore throats, which can make swallowing painful or uncomfortable.

4- Runny or stuffy nose: Common flu symptoms in children include nasal congestion, sneezing, and a runny or stuffy nose.

5- Fatigue and weakness: Extreme weariness and weakness brought on by the virus might make kids less active and make them feel weak.

6- Headache: Children who have the flu may experience headaches or head pain.

8- Muscle or body aches: Children may experience more severe muscular or body aches from the flu, which can make them uncomfortable or make them reluctant to play or move around.

9- Gastrointestinal symptoms: Although they are more frequent in younger children, some children may develop gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

10- Decreased appetite: Flu can induce a decrease in appetite, which might result in youngsters eating less food.

Conclusion

The US flu epidemic has undoubtedly been an unpredictable journey. Hospitalization and death rates have reached record highs, with the virus, particularly devastating the young and old. It’s still crucial for everyone to be vaccinated to help protect themselves and others, even though this year’s vaccine wasn’t quite as successful as we had hoped. But maybe even more importantly, we must seek to strengthen our public health infrastructure in order to be better prepared to address outbreaks in the future. This includes funding research, supporting regional health agencies, and informing the public about how diseases propagate. Although it won’t be simple or quick, it’s essential if we want to avoid another disastrous flu season like the one we recently went through.