LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — We are still in the thick of flu season and the numbers keep climbing.
Last week, another person in Lexington died from the flu, making it four people here in the Bluegrass this flu season. One of those four was a child.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reporting more than 100 children in the U.S. have died from the flu, making it the worst flu season for kids in a decade.
"We're seeing a lot of kids who have had the flu vaccine, who have had the flu, but I will tell you they look a lot less sick than those that have not had the flu vaccine so they're already ahead in their ability to fight it," Pediatrician Katrina Hood said. "So many of these kids may not even have a fever, which is what we almost always think of with flu is you've got a fever, but not always."
During one of the worst flu seasons in recent memory, it becomes even more important to pay attention to your child's health. For those that are not infants, the easiest way to help is pretty simple.
"Get vaccinated so when you do catch it, it's less. Hand washing is still the most important thing," Hood said.
If your child is making extra sounds when breathing, it is worth visiting your pediatrician as many flu symptoms can be revealed through struggling to breathe.
"I think when we hear about these really sad cases of pediatric deaths, the question is, well, what happened?" Hood said. "The vast majority it is going to be something related to breathing."
