Day: January 19, 2025

The 2025 flu season is off to a concerning start. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 11 new pediatric deaths in the week ending January 11. This brings the total number of pediatric flu-related deaths this season to 27. Overall, the flu accounted for 1.5% of all deaths during the second week of January.

Children are the most vulnerable to severe flu complications, given their immune systems are still developing and they are constantly in environments where they interact with other children. The recent rise in young deaths highlights the need for families to take preventive measures, including vaccination and early medical care when they notice symptoms appear.

Current Flu Activity and Trends

The CDC estimates that the flu has caused over 12 million illnesses, 160,000 hospitalizations, and 6,600 deaths so far. January’s data shows an 18.8% positivity rate for flu tests, and seasonal activity remains high across most regions in the United States.

While visits to doctors’ offices for the flu appear to be declining, this might not mean that the U.S. has reached the season’s peak. Typically, flu season is at its highest in February.

Common Flu Symptoms and How to Tell Them Apart

It’s very easy for someone to confuse the symptoms of one illness with another. Many common viruses share overlapping features that can make it hard to determine the specific cause. For example, flu symptoms typically include:

• Fever or chills
• Cough and sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle or body aches
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Vomiting or diarrhea (especially in children)

However, the flu isn’t the only illness making the rounds. COVID-19, RSV, and the common cold are also making people sick around this time, and distinguishing between them can be tricky without testing. Some key differences include:

• COVID-19: Symptoms appear later than the flu and include a dry cough, muscle aches, and fatigue.
• RSV: Mild cold-like symptoms for most, but serious for infants, young children, and older adults.
• Common Cold: Typically lacks fever, headache, or significant fatigue, which are signs of the flu or COVID-19.

How Flu Spreads

The flu is mainly spread through droplets from coughing, sneezing, or talking. Touching a contaminated surface followed by touching your face can also spread the virus. This is why it’s important to wash your hands and clean surfaces regularly.

Types of Flu Vaccines

But no matter how often you wash your hands, gaps will remain that the flu can exploit. The best way to combat the flu is by getting vaccinated. For kids, there are a few types of flu vaccines to choose from:

• The inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV) is the most common and is given as a shot. It’s safe for kids as young as six months old.
• If your child has an egg allergy, there’s the recombinant influenza vaccine (RIV), which is made without eggs.
• For kids who don’t like shots, the live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) is available as a nasal spray for those aged two and older.

These vaccines are updated every year to protect against the flu strains most likely to spread during flu season.

When to Get Vaccinated

The best time for kids to get their flu vaccine is early in the fall, around September or October. This helps their bodies prepare for flu season, which usually peaks between December and February. However, if you missed the earlier months, kids can still get their flu shot in January or even later. It takes about two weeks for the vaccine to fully work, and since flu season can last into the spring, it’s never too late to protect your little ones.

Preparing for the Weeks Ahead

As February approaches, flu activity is expected to remain high. Staying informed, practicing preventive measures, and seeking medical attention early when you notice symptoms are important steps in protecting your loved ones. By staying proactive, families can ensure they stay safe through these peak months and enjoy the beginning of 2025.

Sources:

CDC: Weekly US Influenza Surveillance Report: Key Updates for Week 2, ending January 11, 2025

National Foundations for Infectious Diseases: Influenza Vaccine Options: 2023–2024 Season

It’s a rise that the United States hasn’t seen in decades. Pertussis, more commonly known as whooping cough, is under the watchful eye of health officials following a rise in cases. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Tennessee reported 226 cases of whooping cough in 2024, compared to 64 cases in 2023. In 2024, the number of cases in the U.S. increased more than sixfold compared to the same period last year, reaching levels not seen since 2014. This is a concern for children, as this infection is notorious for its severe, painful coughing fits that can last for weeks or even months. With this increase comes the responsibility for parents to understand the illness, its stages, vaccination options, and preventive measures.

What Is Whooping Cough?

Whooping cough typically begins with mild, cold-like symptoms such as:

• Runny nose
• Sneezing
• Low-grade fever
• Mild cough

Within a week or two, these symptoms become more severe, resulting in children experiencing intense coughing fits. The cough is often so severe that it causes vomiting, breaks ribs, or produces a distinctive “whooping” sound. This stage can last for weeks. Even after recovery begins, residual coughing may persist for months.

This infectious disease is highly contagious, spreading through airborne droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. People can transmit the bacteria for weeks after symptoms develop, even if they feel well enough to resume daily activities.

Recent Trends in Whooping Cough

Cases of whooping cough dropped significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, likely due to masking, reduced social interactions, and other mitigation measures. However, 2024, as noted above, has seen a sharp resurgence. This rise coincides with a recent decline in vaccination rates. The CDC reports that routine childhood vaccination among kindergarteners fell below 93% in the 2023–24 school year, down from 95% in 2019–20, with exemptions reaching a record 3.3%.

The Best Line of Defense

Vaccination remains the most effective way to protect children against whooping cough. The vaccines used have been proven to significantly reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Studies have shown that those who are vaccinated are less likely to contract whooping cough, and if they do, the symptoms are generally milder and less likely to result in complications. When getting the vaccine, the CDC recommends:

• DTaP vaccine for children at 2, 4, and 6 months, with booster doses at 15–18 months and 4–6 years.
• Tdap vaccine for adolescents and adults as a booster, typically at age 11–12 and during every pregnancy to protect newborns.

Diagnosis and Treatment

It’s important for parents to understand the signs of whooping cough because doctors can prescribe antibiotics during the initial weeks before severe coughing begins. Once the illness progresses, treatment focuses on managing symptoms with rest, fluids, and comfort care. Parents should monitor their children closely and seek medical attention if they observe prolonged coughing fits, vomiting after coughing, or signs of respiratory distress.

Preventing Whooping Cough and Other Respiratory Illnesses in 2025

Whooping cough, once a leading cause of childhood mortality in the early 20th century, has been largely controlled through vaccination. However, recent numbers showing an increase in cases highlight the need for families to maintain high vaccination rates. The winter months can be brutal for respiratory illnesses, including the flu, RSV, the common cold, and COVID-19. All of these can impact children but can be mitigated with the help of vaccinations.

An important step parents can take is to reduce the spread and impact of this challenging illness. The best way to do this is by maintaining a vaccine schedule and talking to your doctor about what other steps you can take to ensure your family stays happy and healthy through these months.

Sources:

CDC: Nationally Notifiable Infectious Diseases and Conditions, United States: Weekly Tables

CDC: Whooping Cough Vaccination

CDC: Vaccination Coverage and Exemptions among Kindergartners

Tennessee Department of Health: Pertussis (Whooping Cough)