The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the flu vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older, with rare exceptions. The vaccine status of this particular infant's parents was not reported, but Mary Suzanne Whitworth, M.D., medical director of Infectious Diseases at Cook Children’s said parents must do their part to protect their children during flu season.

“It’s important for babies to get their shots beginning at 6 months of age. Flu shots are not approved for younger infants,” Dr. Whitworth said. “Because these younger babies cannot be protected by getting flu shots, their caregivers and household contacts must get theirs. If those individuals who are around the baby don’t get infected with influenza, the baby is much less likely to be exposed. It’s especially important for pregnant women to get their vaccines in order to protect their newborns.”

Vaccination is recommended as long as the influenza viruses are still circulating.

At Cook Children’s, this was the latest in the flu season that a child has started in at least 10 years.The latest numbers from March 19, 2016, state that 102 patients have been diagnosed with either flu A (42) or flu B (60).

During the 2014-15 flu season, the CDC says there were a total of 148 influenza-associated pediatric deaths reported in the US of which 19 were reported from Texas.There were two pediatric influenza deaths in Tarrant County during that time period.

“The death of a child is such a tragedy,” Mary Suzanne Whitworth, M.D., medical director of Infectious Diseases said. “This flu season is much later than usual and so far this year there have been fewer reported cases. But parents must continue to do everything that we’ve always recommended for flu prevention, including vaccinations. Vaccinations are still the best answer to preventing the flu and protecting your children from the upcoming season.”

About the source

Mary Suzanne Whitworth, M.D. is the medical director of Infectious Diseases at Cook Children’s, which offers care for children and teens with diseases caused by bacteria, parasites, fungi or viruses. Our team provides a broad range of services including diagnosis, inpatient and outpatient consultations, immune deficiency evaluations and treatment of recurring infections.

Hepatitis A is an infection of the liver. It can be passed easily from contaminated food, water or close contact with an infected person.

"Hepatitis A can cause outbreaks in day care which infect many children and last for several months,” Mary Suzanne Whitworth, M.D., medical director of Infectious Diseases. “Good hand washing techniques can prevent outbreaks and decrease the spread of the disease, but the best protection for your child is to have them vaccinated.”

Hepatitis A usually goes away on its own within two months. There are no lasting effects in most once the infection passes. Symptoms include:

• Tiredness
• Loss of appetite
• Fever
• Nausea and vomiting
• Abdominal pain or discomfort
• Yellowing of the eyes and skin—jaundice
• Darker colored urine
• Light or chalky colored stools
• Rash

Medical treatments that may help prevent infection include:

• Immune (Gamma) Globulin—temporary protection from hepatitis A. It can last about 3-6 months. It must be given before exposure to the virus or within 2 weeks after exposure.
• Hepatitis A vaccine—highly effective in preventing infection. It provides full protection 4 weeks after the first injection. A second injection provides long-term protection. The vaccine should be considered for:

• All children aged 12-23 months.
• Children aged 24 months or older who are at high risk and have not been previously vaccinated.
• People traveling to areas where hepatitis A is prevalent (The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/ shows which areas have a high prevalence of hepatitis A).
• People with chronic liver disease.
• People with blood-clotting disorders, such as hemophilia. 
• People who desire immunity to hepatitis A.

About the source

Mary Suzanne Whitworth, M.D. is the medical director of Infectious Diseases at Cook Children’s, which offers care for children and teens with diseases caused by bacteria, parasites, fungi or viruses. Our team provides a broad range of services including diagnosis, inpatient and outpatient consultations, immune deficiency evaluations and treatment of recurring infections.