Drug-Resistant Flu Complication Baffles Experts

School Nurses Give Advice To Parents

Federal health officials are closely monitoring flu complications among children.

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Flu and its complications are the sixth leading cause of death nationally among children 4 and younger. But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it is particularly concerned about a staph infection that is resistant to common drugs.

One epidemiologist with the influenza branch of the CDC said some children have died from the staph infections, a phenomenon the CDC has not seen before.

Flu complications for children have always been dire: pneumonia, kidney, heart failure and possible brain damage. But this year, young flu patients have swamped hospitals in some states and surprised doctors with the severity of their illnesses.

"Typically, in the past, you would hear of the elderly or the very sick, not healthy children or adults, so this really hits home," said mother Annette Findling.

While the nation's flu outbreak has started more severe than usual, many people are now scrambling to get flu shots for themselves and their children. But in some cases, they're finding a shortage.

Last week, the nation's two flu shot manufacturers said their stocks of the vaccine were gone because the demand for the vaccine this year was higher than expected. Making more isn't an option -- it would take four months, and by that time, the flu season would be over. The CDC is assessing the supply and plans to reallocate vaccines if necessary.

Dr. Julie Gerberding, CDC director, said officials are getting "good cooperation" in making sure the people who need the vaccine the most are the "first in line" to get it.

Gerberding said the manufacturers made 83 million doses of the vaccine this year because last year, when 95 million doses were made, 12 million of them went unused and had to be thrown out. But this year, 83 million wasn't enough.

She said health officials are looking to see if more of the vaccine can be purchased from European manufacturers.

Flu Taking Toll On Schools

The nurse's office at Arbor Park Middle School in south suburban Oak Forest, Ill., was a very busy place on Monday.

"They don't feel good and the thermometer has been working overtime today," said school nurse Mary McLaughlin. "Several have gone home because yes, indeed, they do have a temperature over 101 (degrees)."

Twice as many students as usual were home sick from the school Monday.

Fifth-graders there have designed a Web page with reminders to stay healthy. The school is washing down the desks on a nightly basis, as well as reaching out to parents.

For many parents, the question is when to keep their children home from school and when it's OK send them.

"It's very difficult to decide what is the flu and what is the normal ... sickness of a child," said school nurse Mary Wagner. "I deal with the younger population, (and) any temperature over 101, I advise seeing a physician."

With the number of sick children currently in and out of schools, the best advice is to keep washing hands and keep kids home if they don't feel well.

Previous Stories:

• December 9, 2003: Vaccine Shortages Shift Spotlight To FluMist
• December 8, 2003: Flu Could Get Worse Before It Gets Better
• December 5, 2003: Flu Shot Makers Run Out Of Vaccine
• December 4, 2003: Flu Outbreak Spreads, Killing At Least 11 Children
• December 3, 2003: Flu Outbreak Claims Two More Young Victims
• December 2, 2003: Parents Worried About Flu Fill Doctors' Offices
• November 30, 2003: Severe Flu Outbreak Hits West, Midwest
• November 26, 2003: Four Children Die In Colorado Flu Outbreak

Copyright 2003 by Channel3000.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.