In a pandemic influenza season, there is a greater than usual outbreak of the influenza virus. This means more infection-related deaths. That said, even in a non-pandemic year, a distribute of people die from the influenza .
This article presents stream influenza information, along with some history of noteworthy influenza outbreaks. It besides discusses specific concerns about the influenza in children, adenine well as how influenza can be prevented .
Contents
CDC Estimates
There is accurate data about influenza deaths in children because states are required to report this information to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ). For pornographic flu-related deaths, there is a annual estimate based on scientific inquiry methods .
however, some populace health organizations use estimates that include pneumonia or flu-related complications. Others do not include these cases in the number of influenza deaths .
According to the CDC, flu-related deaths between the years of 1986 and 2007 ranged from 3,000 to 49,000. Since 2010, the flu-related death rate has been between 12,000 and 52,000 annually, with the highest season being 2017–2018 and the lowest being 2011–2012 .
Recap
There are millions of influenza infections in the U.S. each year. The statistics from public health agencies make clear that some of these infections lead to flu-related deaths. These deaths frequently are caused by pneumonia and other complications. Younger children, older adults, meaning women, and people with compromise immune systems are at greatest gamble.
Deaths in Flu Pandemics
There have been several known influenza pandemics throughout history. Some were more far-flung in specific parts of the universe, but the impact of a pandemic is normally felt, at least to some academic degree, worldwide .
- 1889 Russian flu pandemic: Resulted in about 1 million flu deaths.
- 1918 Spanish flu pandemic: Responsible for at least 50 million flu deaths, including about 675,000 in the U.S. The flu infected about a third of the world’s population.
- 1957 Asian flu pandemic: Tallied some 1.1 million flu deaths, including about 116,000 in the U.S.
- 1968 Hong Kong flu pandemic: Led to 1 million flu deaths, with 100,000 in the U.S.
- 2009 H1N1 flu pandemic: Between 8,870 and 18,300 deaths in the United States, and up to 575,000 deaths worldwide, were seen during the first year.
The chart below illustrates these numbers, but it besides helps to highlight the diaphanous scale of the 1918 Spanish influenza ‘s effects .
Pediatric Flu Deaths
Flu contagion may have greater impacts in children who have asthma, diabetes, weakened immune systems, or other chronic medical conditions. They are more probably to have unplayful respiratory difficulties. however, even healthy children can get a severe influenza infection. These infections can progress quickly. They can cause long illnesses that, in some cases, lead to death .
Reports have shown that about half of the children who die from the influenza each year have no known hazard factors for influenza complications. Flu deaths in children reached a new high during the 2019-2020 season in the U.S., with 78 % of kids who died from influenza not receiving their full moon vaccinations .
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The chart below illustrates the number of children who have died from the influenza in holocene years .
Preventing Flu Deaths
The best way to prevent influenza deaths is to avoid getting brainsick with the influenza in the first stead. There are several decisions you can make to help prevent influenza infection. They will lower your risk of spreading the influenza and having serious complications if you get it .
- Get the annual flu vaccine. The most simple, best protection from the flu is a yearly flu vaccine. The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine by the end of October each year. Information on flu vaccines may have slight changes from year to year. You can get the most reliable updates from your healthcare provider, a local pharmacy, or trusted online resources like the CDC.
- Take precautions if you are taking care of a baby. Babies younger than 6 months are at high risk of catching the flu but are too young to be vaccinated. It is important for you to be vaccinated if you take care of a baby. It will help to prevent the baby from being infected.
- See your healthcare provider if you think you might have the flu. Your healthcare provider can identify complications early. They can decide if you need a prescription medication, such as antiviral medications for the flu, or antibiotics if you have a bacterial infection. Sometimes, medications can make your illness milder or shorter in duration. They may prevent complications or death.
How to Avoid the Flu
- Get your annual flu shot.
- If sick, stay home to prevent the spread of infection.
- Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
- Wash your hands thoroughly and often.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Disinfect surfaces that people frequently touch.
- Avoid crowds.
drumhead
Influenza infections can lead to death, normally when complications arise because of historic period or existing health conditions. history shows that influenza pandemics, such as the H1N1 ( swine influenza ) outbreak in 2009, claim even more lives in the years they occur .
In the modern era, influenza vaccines have helped to reduce these deaths. Most people have access to annual influenza vaccines, although babies less than 6 months old are not however eligible for them. other practices, such as washing your hands frequently, can help to prevent the spread of the influenza. It ‘s a good idea to contact your healthcare provider if you have concerns about influenza infection .
A Word From Verywell
Seeing how many children die of the influenza, deoxyadenosine monophosphate well as the overall numbers, can be a wake-up call as to how unplayful influenza is and the indigence to take precautions for your family. In late years, the handiness of influenza vaccines has improved. Public awareness of influenza symptoms and risk factors besides has increased, leading people to take precautions and to seek medical attention sooner .
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