Hospital Admissions for Children With Flu Climbing Across the United States

Follow Drugslib on

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com.

By Stephanie Brown HealthDay Reporter

TUESDAY, March 4, 2025 -- Pediatric hospital admissions for influenza have been rising across the United States since the beginning of the year, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

Pediatric influenza-related hospital admissions rose sharply between Jan. 4 and Feb. 1, with a 145 percent increase seen for patients ages 5 to 17 years (from 959 to 2,348 admissions).

For the week ending Feb.1, the percentage of all outpatient visits made for flu-like symptoms was 7.76 percent. This is the highest level since the third week of the 2009/2010 season (7.72 percent). Pediatric patients accounted for 33.3 percent of all influenza cases seen in emergency departments, according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statistics, the AAP reported. As of Feb. 1, there have been 57 pediatric influenza-related deaths recorded for the 2024/2025 season.

"Influenza comes around every winter. While there isn't really such a thing as a 'good' influenza season -- every year we see thousands of deaths and hospitalizations -- seasons vary in severity from year to year, and this is a particularly severe season," Sean T. O'Leary, M.D., M.P.H., chair of the AAP Committee on Infectious Diseases, said in a statement. "The best thing a parent can do to protect their family from influenza is to make sure everyone gets vaccinated. It's not too late for this season because we're still seeing widespread circulation."

As of Feb. 28, 45.8 percent of children reported receiving an influenza vaccine, according to the CDC.

More Information

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

Source: HealthDay

Posted : 2025-03-05 12:00

Read more

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Popular Keywords