Illinois Reports 1st Child Flu Death This Season As Hospitalizations Are On The Rise

We know it's shaping up to be a rough flu season.

Doctors and health officials are warning that the U.S. is facing one of the worst flu seasons we've had in decades.

In Illinois, ICU and hospital admissions are "dramatically increasing" and the state has reported it's 1st pediatric flu death for the season, making the national pediatric flu death toll 9 kids so far this season. Last year, Illinois reported 12 pediatric flu deaths total.

This Strain Is Problematic

Illinois hospital data shows that this year's round of the flu is having a serious impact on kids under 18, specifically ages 5-17 have been admitted to hospitals with flu issues.

Dr. Juanita Mora, national spokesperson for the American Lung Association, said this flu strain may not respond to traditional Tylenol or Ibuprofen:

This new strain has symptoms of really high fevers. It has a really bad cough that won't go away, very phlegmy, and also vomiting and diarrhea and lots of joint aches as well as muscle aches.

And even though it's normally kids that vomit as a flu symptom, this particular strain is also causing GI issues in adults that contract it too. Yippee.

Doctors are expecting the flu season to level out at the end of January or in February.

People with the flu are most contagious within 3 days into their infection. If you and/or your kid get sick and it sounds like the flu (especially if there's high fever), march your happy selves into an urgent care or clinic. It wouldn't be a bad idea to get your flu shot either.