The influenza season has claimed the lives of nearly 80 children.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not monitor the number of deaths from influenza-related patients but they do monitor pediatric mortality.
The CDC's Influenza-Associated Pediatric Mortality report has statistics of children's deaths since the 2004-2005 flu season. The 2004-2005 flu season saw 47 flu-related deaths in children.
The current 2012-2013 season has seen 78 pediatric deaths, more than double compared to the 2011-2012 flu season.
The current season's numbers are significantly less compared to the 2009-2010 season when 282 deaths were reported, however, the week ending Feb. 16 shows an alarming difference.
According to the CDC, the January and February months are peak months for the flu, however, the current season saw 14 pediatric deaths during the week ending Feb. 16. In comparison to the previous seasons, no deaths were recorded or provided between the 2004 to 2012 flu seasons.
The purpose of the pediatric mortality rate system is to monitor and describe the incidence, distribution, and basic epidemiologic characteristics of deaths among children associated with influenza virus infection, provide data to guide future influenza immunization policy, rapidly recognize influenza season during which the impact may be unusually severe among children.
It is still possible to catch the flu despite reports waning nationwide. Symptoms of the flu include fever, sore throat, chills, a cough, runny or stuffy nose, headaches, muscle or body aches, fatigue, and potentially diarrhea and vomiting. Infants will often experience poor circulation, lethargy, swollen glands, and a lack of appetite.
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