You may think flu season is over, but doctors say that’s not the case.
Medical experts tell me they’re seeing more severe complications from the flu in children, which is leading to serious complications.
“It does seem like the complications that we’re seeing from flu this year at least locally and statewide have been worse than typical,” Dr. Rudolph Valentini said.
Valentini is the chief medical officer of the Detroit Medical Center Group, including Children’s Hospital of Michigan.
“It seems like a disproportionate number of children this year (are) coming in with severe pneumonia and some having sepsis,” Valentini said.
Valentini said the flu predisposes kids to bacterial pneumonia.
“It’s a double whammy, and it can be overwhelming,” Valentini said.
As for sepsis, it’s as severe as it sounds and can be life-threatening.
“It often requires urgent attention at the hospital (and) many times the patient may end up in the Intensive Care Unit,” Valentini said. “It can develop into what’s called shock, so you’re not getting good blood flow to your fingers, your toes, those types of things.”
Valentini says fever and difficulty breathing are warning signs to take your child to the hospital.
“If they’re working hard to breathe, they’re getting into trouble,” Valentini said.
The flu shot is the best defense against the illness and its complications.
While it is late in the season to get the flu shot, Valentini said it’s not too late.
Flu season typically ends April 1, but Valentini said it may be pushed back to May this year.