The Tennessee Department of Health confirmed that two children have died from the flu this season.
The Department of Health says one of the deaths happened in the Middle Grand Division and the other happened in the East Grand Division of the state.
Officials want to remind residents that the flu vaccine remains free at most local health departments across the state.
They also want to encourage people to stay at home when sick, cough or sneeze into a sleeve, and practice good hand hygiene. The CDC advises taking everyday actions such as making sure children are covering their mouths, washing their hands and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces such as desks, doorknobs, computer keyboards, faucet handles and phones.
As winter break comes to an end, flu is widespread throughout Tennessee and many students are heading back to school this week.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there was a high activity level for Influenza-like illness in Tennessee during the last full week of 2019. Typically, flu season peaks between December and February but it can linger to May, according to the CDC. East Tennessee Children’s Hospital reported 137 flu cases over the past week bringing the season total to 751.
In most cases, doctors say that children should see their regular doctor instead of going to the hospital. Pediatricians can spend more time with children to make sure they only have the flu and can prescribe the same treatment without risking infections from going to an emergency room.
You should take your child to the emergency room “If they’re unstable, they’re lethargic to less than three wet diapers, unresponsive, or are working really hard to breathe, then it would be appropriate to bring them into the ER,” Mit Patel said, a doctor with East Tennessee Children’s Hospital.