Eastern Iowa child dies of H1N1 flu

The first child to die of H1N1 virus in Iowa was reported today.

The Iowa Department of Public Health said the child, who died in Eastern Iowa in October, had factors that increased the risk of complications from H1N1.

Other information, including the child's age, was not released.

“Surveillance is showing a steady increase in pediatric illness and hospitalizations,” said the department's Medical Director, Dr. Patricia Quinlisk. “This death is a somber reminder of the importance of protecting Iowa's children from this flu.”

According to the CDC, all children, especially those ages 5 years or younger, and those with chronic medical conditions, are at increased risk for complications and death from influenza. Even children who are otherwise healthy can have complications and severe or fatal outcomes after influenza infection.

Symptoms of H1N1 are similar to seasonal influenza and include: fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. A significant number of people with H1N1 have also reported diarrhea and vomiting.

Ill children should drink plenty of fluids and get plenty of rest. Children under the age of 18 should not take aspirin when they have the flu.

In children, urgent warning signs indicating the need for urgent medical attention include:

- Fast breathing or trouble breathing

- Bluish or gray skin color

- Not drinking enough fluids

- Severe or persistent vomiting

- Not waking up or not interacting with people and things around them

- Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held

- Flu-like symptoms improve, but then return with fever and worse cough

All children greater than 6 months of age and caregivers, and those living with children less than six months of age should receive seasonal influenza vaccine and are among the priority target group for the 2009 H1N1 vaccine.

Both Johnson and Linn counties have public clinics for priority groups this week for H1N1 flu vaccine.

For more information about H1N1 influenza, visit www.idph.state.ia.us/h1n1

Iowans with questions about H1N1 may also call the toll-free Influenza Hotline at 1-800-447-1985.