Harsh Flu Season Has Health Officials Worried About Brain Complications in Children
This year’s harsh flu season – the most intense in 15 years – has federal health officials trying to understand if it sparked an increase in a rare but life-threatening brain complication in children.
Increased Cases of Brain Complications in Children
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 19,000 people have died from the flu so far this winter, including 86 children. Thursday, the CDC reported at least nine of those children experienced brain complications, and it has asked state health departments to help investigate if there are more such cases.
Why are Health Officials Concerned?
There is some good news: The CDC also reported that this year’s flu shots do a pretty good job preventing hospitalization from the flu — among the 45% of Americans who got vaccinated. But it comes a day after the Trump administration added to the uncertainty roiling government health agencies by canceling a meeting of experts who are supposed to help choose the recipe for next winter’s flu vaccine.
Still Time to Get Vaccinated
“If you haven’t gotten your flu shot yet, get it because we’re still seeing high flu circulation in most of the country,” said Dr. Sean O’Leary of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Flu Shot Effectiveness
Flu shot effectiveness varies from year to year. While not great at blocking infections, the vaccine’s main role “is to keep you out of the hospital and to keep you alive,” said Vanderbilt University vaccine expert Dr. William Schaffner.
Preliminary Data Released
Preliminary CDC data released Thursday found children who got this year’s vaccine were between 64% and 78% less likely to be hospitalized than their unvaccinated counterparts, and adults were 41% to 55% less likely to be hospitalized.
What About the Brain Complications?
Earlier this month, state health departments and hospitals warned doctors to watch for child flu patients with seizures, hallucinations or other signs of “influenza-associated encephalopathy or encephalitis” — and a more severe subtype called “acute necrotizing encephalopathy.”
Encephalitis is brain inflammation.
Analysis of Child Flu Deaths
Thursday, the CDC released an analysis of 1,840 child flu deaths since 2010, finding 166 with those neurologic complications.
Most were unvaccinated. But the agency concluded it’s unclear if this year’s nine deaths with those complications — four of whom had the worst subtype — mark an uptick.
Uncertainty Surrounds the Data
There’s no regular tracking of those neurologic complications, making it hard to find the answers.
What Can Parents Do?
O’Leary, with the pediatricians’ academy, said parents should remember this complication is rare — the advice remains to seek medical advice anytime a child with flu has unusual or concerning symptoms, such as labored breathing.
Conclusion
This year’s harsh flu season has raised concerns about brain complications in children. While there is some good news about the effectiveness of this year’s flu shots, the exact extent of the issue remains unclear. Health officials are urging parents to get their children vaccinated and to seek medical attention if they show any unusual symptoms.
FAQs
Q: What is the current death toll from the flu this season?
A: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 19,000 people have died from the flu so far this winter, including 86 children.
Q: How effective are this year’s flu shots?
A: The CDC reports that children who got this year’s vaccine were between 64% and 78% less likely to be hospitalized than their unvaccinated counterparts, and adults were 41% to 55% less likely to be hospitalized.
Q: What is encephalitis?
A: Encephalitis is brain inflammation.
Q: What should parents do if their child shows unusual symptoms after getting the flu?
A: Parents should seek medical advice anytime a child with flu shows unusual or concerning symptoms, such as labored breathing.
