Children More At Risk of Getting Flu: No Immunity

In the last 3-4 weeks, local doctors have seen more of the flu than they've seen in a long time.

Several children have died from the flu here in Georgia. On Sunday, a four-year old Richmond Hill girl died of flu like symptoms. A few weeks ago, a healthy 10-year old from Augusta died from the flu.

Doctors are saying they're seeing more severe illness and it's more widespread.
This is an earlier flu season than we've ever had. Typically Savannah's flu season is from late December through March or April, but because of the new strain of the flu, H1N1, it's hitting much earlier.

The H1N1 vaccine became available for two to four year olds a little more than a week ago.

One local pediatrician says his patients are coming in for it the vaccine. As we've said before, children don't have the immunity to this strain, so they're far more susceptible.

3-year old Jack Vadersen was up all last night coughing and congestion, with everything going around, like the flu, dad Erik, thought it would be smart to have his little guy checked out it's not the flu thank goodness.

He is getting the H1N1 flu vaccine.

"It's really no decision. After everything we've read about, after everything we've heard, the whole family, wife included, we're all going to be getting flu shots we're all going to get swine flu shots as we're able to, with him especially after everything that's occurring with the age issues with H1N1,” says dad, Erik Vadersen.

Dr. Ben Spitalnick with Pediatric Associates of Savannah says the flu is an extreme problem in children for several reasons

"Number one, they're more likely to catch it because they're in close quarters. Number two is they don't have the same immunity as adults do. In particular, older, older adults have been exposed, to the H1N1 strain years ago perhaps in swine form or other form,” Says Spitalnick.

Dr. Spitalnick says the biggest issue is not the severity of the illness, it's how widespread it its and there's no community immunity.

“Every disease can affect someone differently and as more people get the disease, there are more variations you're going to see on the illness, there are some severe cases in the hospital right now, in the ICU right now, nationwide and locally some deaths. While the death rate is very very low, one death is too many,” explains Spitalnick.

The best advice is simple. Wash your hands frequently. Don't go to school or work when you're sick.

Dr. Spitalnick says if you're healthy enough get the H1N1 vaccine, get it!

If your child is sick, don't try to diagnose it yourself. Get them to the doctor because, as he says, there's no one reaction, kids can show different symptoms.