H1N1 danger to kids stressed
LA CROSSE -- The death of a 21-month-old Cashton girl underscores the danger swine flu can pose in some cases, especially for young children, health officials said Thursday.
Aberianna Noel Dunnum died Sunday at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, the first swine flu fatality in the area and the ninth this year in Wisconsin.
Josalyn Gloyd, Gundersen Lutheran infection-control specialist, said a death heightens H1N1 awareness, "but it is a kick in the stomach when it’s a child, because we see children as innocent victims.“
The death could spur others to take action, whether through prevention efforts or vaccination, she said.
Young children are at higher risk for complications of H1N1 flu because their immune systems are not well developed and they can be exposed to a new virus, Gloyd said.
"They have very fragile immune systems, putting them at greater risk for respiratory distress,“ she said.
Health officials would not say whether the 21-month-old girl had underlying health issues that could have caused complications.
Swine flu cases now have been reported in 52 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties and led to 26 hospitalizations since Sept. 1. Health authorities in some other counties have declined to reveal the ages of flu victims, saying they wanted to protect the victims' identities.
"For most people, the H1N1 flu is not severe, however, we know that the virus can be especially dangerous for young children, individuals with compromised immune systems and those with chronic health illnesses,“ said Sharon Nelson, director of the Monroe County Health Department who reported the death.
Oct 17, 2009 at 1:55 p.m.
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WHY is this different?.. like the 1918 flu epidemic, young people, sometimes healthy people are more likily to die. their strong immune system over reacts to the virus, filling thier lungs with fluid. As high as 1/3 of those hospitalized end up in intesive care. Many can only be saved with specialized equipment that adds oxygan to the blood.
Oct 17, 2009 at 1:41 p.m.
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where? when?
link to rock co website with dates and locations
http://www.co.rock.wi.us/Dept/Health/Hea...
Oct 16, 2009 at 11:04 p.m.
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How awful and terribly sad. :(
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But I wonder, is the Gazette going to post an article about each and every flu death in the state? Or JUST the swine flu cases? This isn't helping the hysteria. No one is surprised when people die from the common flu, why are we all so fired up about this one? My very own local pediatrician told me that the H1N1 is "not a big deal, we're not even testing for it." And when I asked why, then, are they mass vaccinating with a very new, possibly very risky vaccine, he didn't have a word to say.
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I'm with you treemomma, why would they release her name, age, and location but not if she had any underlying health issues? The FULL story is necessary.
Oct 16, 2009 at 8:53 p.m.
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OK, treemomma, I understand now. But I'm in the same plight as your kid. I can't have the FluMist, and the injection vaccine is just taking longer to produce. It has to do with technical production issues (it literally must be grown). The county health department will be scheduling vaccinations after November 1, and private vaccination clinics will also appear around that time according to what I've seen.
Oct 16, 2009 at 7:36 p.m.
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I have been a flu clinic RN for three seasons now. I work out of an agency in Madison but travel all over the state to give vaccinations at both public and private settings. We have been giving seasonal flu shots since early September and will begin administering H1N1 in schools next Tuesday (10/20/2009). Unfortunately, we nurses do not even know what locations we will be traveling to at this point. All decisions regarding the H1N1 vaccine are being handled by each county's public health department. Both the injection and spray mist vaccines will be available. It is true that in many areas, there is a shortage of seasonal flu vaccine at this time. It is, however, expected to only be temporary. One note of caution: If you receive a spray mist for either vaccination, you must wait four weeks before receiving a spray mist for the other vaccination. This is NOT true if you utilize the spray mist for only one of the two vaccinations. If you utilize the injection route, there need not be any "wait period" between the two types of vaccine.
Oct 16, 2009 at 6:02 p.m.
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The pediatrician does not have the vaccine to give to my son. He agrees he needs it. The frustration is that there are vaccines out there being given to people that are not high-risk, but there are high risk patients who are unable to get it.
Oct 16, 2009 at 5:45 p.m.
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treemomma, you should probably consult with your pediatrician for those special circumstances.
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Because I'm diabetic, I'm waiting for the shot vaccine, crossing my fingers I won't be exposed before the clinic which is almost a month away.
Oct 16, 2009 at 4:48 p.m.
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The hospital that I work at has an abundance of H1N1 vaccines, but not enough seasonal flu vaccines, whereas the clinic I go to has NO H1N1 vaccines, and a good amount of seasonal. It all depends on when you placed your order and who you placed it with. (which company)
I think it is weird that they would release this little girl's age and name, but not if she had underlying conditions. To me, that is the most valuable piece of information. My 3 year old was a preemie and has asthma- does that make him immuno-compromised and have a chronic health condition? I can't get an H1N1 vaccine for him yet, but they are going to Dane county schools to vaccinate all children, and are vaccinating inmates. What's the deal with that?
Oct 16, 2009 at 3:48 p.m.
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The doses of vaccine you've heard are in Wisconsin are likely the nasal-spray version, which are not recommended for pregnant women or those with chronic conditions, such as asthma. Swine-flu shots have begun shipping . . . should hear something soon.
Oct 16, 2009 at 3:47 p.m.
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flue is not news, SWINE FLUE is.
Oct 16, 2009 at 2:41 p.m.
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My contacts at the health department tell me there are literally thousands of people in Rock County with the flu right now. The death rate is a risk, but a very, very small risk. Vaccine for the healthy should be coming in soon....
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On that note, I saw somewhere ( can't remember or I'd post a link) that 200,000 doses of vaccine are already in Wisconsin. So where are they? I know pregnant women who are waiting by the phone to get the word to come in - they have been told "next week" for 3 straight weeks. What is going on? Anyone with information?
Oct 16, 2009 at 2:29 p.m.
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why dont they get all the facts before releasing this article, Did she have other problems??
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