The death of 12-year-old South Kitsap resident Piper Lowery is the second reported in Kitsap County and ninth this flu season in Washington, according to the Kitsap County Health District.
In November, the agency confirmed that an adult had died of complications from influenza.
“Our hearts go out to the families of these individuals,” said Dr. Susan Turner, health officer for the county health district.
“These tragedies remind us that influenza can be a very serious illness, especially in young children.”
Officials said Kitsap County has experienced minimal influenza activity. But preliminary data how show that the county is seeing an increase — predominately influenza B, but some influenza A also is circulating.
Health officials said two strains of influenza A, H3N2 and H1N1 are hitting the elderly and children particularly hard in the state and nationwide. Officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that flu seasons in which the H3N2 strain dominates are likely to be more serious.
Health care providers say that the flu is a dangerous condition, even for healthy children. They stress that flu shots are critical to fighting off the illness. Everyone ages 6 months and older are encouraged to get a flu shot.
“Having your children and yourselves vaccinated is the best way you can protect your children from the flu,” Turner said.
People should seek urgent medical care if these signs of serious illness are present:
For children:
Any fever in a baby 2 months old or less.
Fast breathing or trouble breathing.
Bluish skin color.
Not drinking enough fluids.
Not waking up or not interacting.
Being so irritable that the child doesn’t want to be held.
Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough.
Fever with a rash.
For adults:
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.
Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen.
Sudden dizziness.
Confusion.
Severe or persistent vomiting.
Flu complications can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such congestive heart failure, asthma or diabetes.
In November, the agency confirmed that an adult had died of complications from influenza.
“Our hearts go out to the families of these individuals,” said Dr. Susan Turner, health officer for the county health district.
“These tragedies remind us that influenza can be a very serious illness, especially in young children.”
Officials said Kitsap County had experienced minimal influenza activity. But preliminary data how show that the county is seeing an increase — predominately influenza B, but some influenza A also is circulating.
Health officials said two strains of influenza A, H3N2 and H1N1 are hitting the elderly and children particularly hard in the state and nationwide. Officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that flu seasons in which the H3N2 strain dominates are likely to be more serious.
Health care providers say that the flu is a dangerous condition, even for healthy children. They stress that flu shots are critical to fighting off the illness. Everyone ages 6 months and older are encouraged to get a flu shot.
“Having your children and yourselves vaccinated is the best way you can protect your children from the flu,” Turner said.
People should seek urgent medical care if these signs of serious illness are present:
For children:
Any fever in a baby 2 months old or less;
Fast breathing or trouble breathing;
Bluish skin color;
Not drinking enough fluids;
Not waking up or not interacting;
Being so irritable that the child doesn’t want to be held;
Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough;
Fever with a rash.
For adults:
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath;
Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen;
Sudden dizziness;
Confusion;
Severe or persistent vomiting.
Flu complications can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such congestive heart failure, asthma or diabetes.
