First Pediatric Flu Death In Maryland Reported

A child has died from the flu, the Maryland Department of Health reported on Tuesday. It is the first pediatric death attributed to influenza in the state.

Symptoms of the flu include fever, cough, body aches, headaches and fatigue. The flu virus is spread through the air, from coughing and sneezing, or by touching something that someone with the virus has touched.

“Influenza is an extremely serious, and sometimes deadly, disease, and this flu season has been proven to be particularly severe,” Dr. Howard Haft, Maryland's deputy secretary for public health, said in a statement.

“We’re continuing to urge Marylanders to get their flu shots, stay home from work if they are sick, and practice other preventative measures to stop the spread of flu,” Haft said.

The first lab test that came up positive for seasonal influenza was in November 2017, state health officials said.

Since mid to late December, Maryland health officials said there has been a "marked increase" in flu activity. People are advised to get the flu vaccine if they have not already and to stay home if they are sick.

SEE ALSO: ER Visits Climb As Flu Spreads Across Maryland

The first flu death in Maryland was reportedly on Jan. 24. The victim was a 41-year-old Frederick woman.

While flu-related pediatric deaths must be reported, the Maryland Department of Health cannot discuss specifics of individual cases; so it is not public information where the child was from in the state.

In Virginia, a 7-year-old boy was that state's first child to die from the flu, in late January. He had visited the hospital the day before he died and was sent home with medications for the flu and strep throat, officials said.

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Here are tips to avoid the flu and curb its spread, provided by the Centers for Disease Control:

• Stay home if you are sick. With the exception of seeking medical care, do not go out until 24 hours after your fever has subsided without the use of medication.
• Avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes.
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces that may have become contaminated with germs.
• Avoid others who are sick.
• Cough or sneeze into a tissue. Throw away tissues after use.

According to the CDC, the flu is widespread in 48 states while two states — Oregon and Hawaii — do not have widespread flu activity.

What To Do If You Have The Flu

To treat the flu, use over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or cough syrup to relieve symptoms.

Rest in bed and drink lots of fluids.

If you contact your doctor within 48 hours of onset of symptoms, you may be able to take an antiviral drug, which will reduce the severity of symptoms and length of the illness.

You can be contagious from one day before and up to seven days after becoming sick.

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