Many of you are aware of the pediatric deaths from influenza in Oregon and across the country this year. As professionals who work to protect Oregon’s children, and for some of us as parents, we are saddened. Flu deaths are preventable. We continue to emphasize having children up to date on their childhood vaccines, including the influenza vaccine. We are concerned that caregivers may not know when to seek emergency care for their child. In addition to the usual prevention messaging, please help us share information on care seeking behaviors with this audience.

Children should receive immediate care if they have any of the following:

· Fast or troubled breathing

· Bluish skin color

· Not drinking enough fluids

· Not waking up or not interacting

· Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held

· Flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with a fever and worse cough

· Fever with a rash.

· Are unable to eat

· Has trouble breathing

· Has no tears when crying

· Have significantly fewer wet diapers than normal