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Killer Flu
Aired December 09, 2003 - 14:18 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Now, let's move on to our other story. And that is -- well, actually, we're going to go to Holly Firfer and get right to it.
Holly, talking about the flu and the vaccine and what the CDC had to say today.
HOLLY FIRFER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I am here, yes.
Flu season is off to a rapid start, and in a press conference that ended just about 30 minutes ago, the CDC said the flu season has not yet reached its peak, but they expect that peak to hit soon, and they say they the good news is, they believe more people than ever have been vaccinated. Now in terms of a vaccine shortage, the CDC is undertaking a survey to find where the remaining vaccines are located and how they can be redistributed to where they are needed, and they're also looking into whether any countries in Europe can help with additional supplies.
Now, after hearing the reports of children's death across the country, Dr. Julie Gerberding, the director of the CDC, says they are concerned.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DR. JULIE GERBERDING, DIR., CDC: There are reports of children with serious influenza and deaths among children from influenza, and that is something that is very sad, and also something that we're evaluating very carefully to determine whether or not there's anything about this particular flu strain that's preferentially affecting children or causing more severe disease in children. We don't know the answer to the question yet.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FIRFER: Now, if you suspect your child might be sick, look for these symptoms: First is an abrupt onset of the illness. It just comes on rapidly. Your child might have a high fever of about 104 degrees. They have muscle aches and just that wiped-out feeling. Those are normal symptoms. If you do see that your child has these symptoms, keep them home, provide plenty of liquids, and keep a close watch on them.
Now, doctors warn if those symptoms become more severe, you need to get them medical attention. Those symptoms are if you notice rapid, belabored or heavy breathing, a color change in your child's skin tone. If your child won't wake up or they won't drink enough fluids. If your child seems to be so irritable, they don't want to be held or touched, or if your child gets sick, gets better, and they gets sick again, that's a sign that a bacterial infection may have set in. And with any of these symptoms, get them medical help immediately.
And, Kyra and Miles, it's not too late to get your child to the doctor to get a vaccination. Remember, the flu season goes all the way until March. There's still many months for them to get sick.
PHILLIPS: All right, Holly Firfer, thank you.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired December 9, 2003 - 14:18 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Now, let's move on to our other story. And that is -- well, actually, we're going to go to Holly Firfer and get right to it.
Holly, talking about the flu and the vaccine and what the CDC had to say today.
HOLLY FIRFER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I am here, yes.
Flu season is off to a rapid start, and in a press conference that ended just about 30 minutes ago, the CDC said the flu season has not yet reached its peak, but they expect that peak to hit soon, and they say they the good news is, they believe more people than ever have been vaccinated. Now in terms of a vaccine shortage, the CDC is undertaking a survey to find where the remaining vaccines are located and how they can be redistributed to where they are needed, and they're also looking into whether any countries in Europe can help with additional supplies.
Now, after hearing the reports of children's death across the country, Dr. Julie Gerberding, the director of the CDC, says they are concerned.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DR. JULIE GERBERDING, DIR., CDC: There are reports of children with serious influenza and deaths among children from influenza, and that is something that is very sad, and also something that we're evaluating very carefully to determine whether or not there's anything about this particular flu strain that's preferentially affecting children or causing more severe disease in children. We don't know the answer to the question yet.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FIRFER: Now, if you suspect your child might be sick, look for these symptoms: First is an abrupt onset of the illness. It just comes on rapidly. Your child might have a high fever of about 104 degrees. They have muscle aches and just that wiped-out feeling. Those are normal symptoms. If you do see that your child has these symptoms, keep them home, provide plenty of liquids, and keep a close watch on them.
Now, doctors warn if those symptoms become more severe, you need to get them medical attention. Those symptoms are if you notice rapid, belabored or heavy breathing, a color change in your child's skin tone. If your child won't wake up or they won't drink enough fluids. If your child seems to be so irritable, they don't want to be held or touched, or if your child gets sick, gets better, and they gets sick again, that's a sign that a bacterial infection may have set in. And with any of these symptoms, get them medical help immediately.
And, Kyra and Miles, it's not too late to get your child to the doctor to get a vaccination. Remember, the flu season goes all the way until March. There's still many months for them to get sick.
PHILLIPS: All right, Holly Firfer, thank you.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
