Tarrant County has confirmed its first pediatric flu death of the season. <\/p>\n
The county health department said the child \u2014 whose age and identity weren’t disclosed \u2014 had underlying medical conditions. However, the county said flu activity is still widespread across the country, so people should\u00a0take precautions.<\/p>\n
Influenza, the virus that causes \u201cthe flu,\u201d is highly contagious and spreads mainly by droplets made when someone with the virus coughs, sneezes or talks. <\/p>\n
TCPH recommends avoiding close contact with people who are sick, staying home when you don\u2019t feel well and cleaning commonly touched surfaces. In addition, it said people should wash their hands often, avoid touching their face and cover their mouth with a tissue while coughing or sneezing.<\/p>\n
Flu vaccines are recommended for people older than six months and “strongly encouraged” for caregivers of infants. A flu shot can prevent severe illness, hospitalization and death. Several infectious disease experts<\/a> said vaccines are safe and effective.<\/p>\n While flu season<\/a> can vary from year-to year, it generally runs from October to May. But infections can happen at any point in the year.<\/p>\n This is Texas\u2019 7th confirmed pediatric flu death this season.<\/p>\n Abigail Ruhman is KERA\u2019s health reporter. Got a tip? Email Abigail at\u00a0aruhman@kera.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n