A Cumming pediatric practice is reporting an unusually severe flu season, with at least two otherwise healthy children already hospitalized for complications like muscle inflammation and pneumonia.
WSB-TV reports that doctors across north Georgia say flu cases and hospitalizations are rising fast, and they strongly recommend vaccination. That mirrors the latest flu update from the state Department of Public Health (DPH).
Dr. Hiral Lavania of One Family Pediatrics in Cumming says the two children who were hospitalized had not been vaccinated.
EARLIER STORY. POSTED TUESDAY: Deaths attributed to the flu in Georgia increased by seven last week since seasonal record keeping began in October, according to the state Department of Public Health. That brings the number to 29. In addition, there were at least 511 new hospitalizations reporting, bringing that seasonal number to 1,580 and new outbreaks increased by 12, for a seasonal increase of 73. Cumulative data may include updated numbers from previous weeks. Nationally, a new federal report calls this year a “severe” season that is likely to get worse. Flu season surged in the US over the holiday and already rivals last winter’s harsh epidemic – SRN News