Rare flu complication is rising in kids, doctors warn
It's a fast-moving condition usually triggered by the flu, causing sudden brain swelling. It's thought that the virus prompts the immune system to go haywire.
Affected children can go from having mild flu symptoms to seizures, coma, or even death within days. Most are kids without any other health problems.
Historically, the inflammatory disease is diagnosed in just a handful of children each year. But this past January and February, pediatric neurologists began to see an unusual uptick in ANE cases — and started comparing notes.
Dr. Molly Wilson-Murphy, a pediatric neurologist at Boston Children's Hospital said, 'We were reaching out to colleagues across the country and saying, 'hey, are you seeing this?' and very briskly getting responses back from a number of folks saying, 'yes, us, too.''
The collaboration led to the first large, multi-center look at ANE cases in the U.S. Wilson-Murphy is one of more than 60 physicians who published their data Wednesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
The doctors identified 41 cases over the past two flu seasons. Most children were around age 5.
Brain inflammation was swift and severe in many cases. Eleven children (27%) died within 3 days, usually because of a buildup of pressure in their brain tissue.
Children who were able to survive for at least 3 months often had long-lasting complications, such as trouble walking, eating and ongoing seizures.
Because ANE is so rare, there's no specific treatment protocol. Most of the 41 children in the new study received steroids, antiviral medications, intravenous immunoglobulin or a plasma exchange, which is like dialysis.
Reasons for the increase in ANE cases are not known. But the report comes after the U.S. has experienced one of the deadliest flu seasons for kids on record: 266 pediatric flu deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At least three of those children died in June and July of this year, far outside of the typical flu season.
Until now, there's been no official tally of ANE cases. The CDC began to track them in February after hearing anecdotal reports from the study authors.
The CDC's Dr. Timothy Uyeki wrote an editorial accompanying the new study.
'From the public health perspective, implementation of multiyear national surveillance' is necessary, Uyeki wrote, to understand how often ANE occurs and whether some children have specific risk factors.
Why flu shots are important for kids
Study authors emphasized the importance of annual flu shots for kids. Just six of the 41 children with ANE had been vaccinated.
It's especially critical for kids who've already had ANE because they're at risk for getting it again with a subsequent influenza infection, Wilson-Murphy of Boston Children's Hospital said.
Fewer kids are getting flu shots in general.
During the 2023-2024 season, just over half of kids, 55%, got the vaccine — the lowest rate in more than a decade.
'It's possible that's playing a small role in this bump in cases,' said study co-author Dr. Keith Van Haren, a pediatric neurologist at Stanford Medicine in Palo Alto, California. 'It doesn't account for all of it, though.'
And among the 266 children who died of flu this past year, 90% hadn't been fully vaccinated, according to the CDC.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends all children 6 months or older get an annual flu shot, ideally by the end of October.
Young children who've never had the shot may need two doses, about a month apart.
ANE warning signs
In early stages, ANE resembles typical flu symptoms. Children tend to have high fevers — 103 degrees on average — as well as a sore throat, cough and vomiting or diarrhea.
Within about two days after symptoms begin, doctors say there is a marked difference in kids' mental status. They may have seizures and become unusually weak and tired.
The behavior is different from the typical lethargy associated with flu, Wilson-Murphy said. Affected children don't perk up, even after ibuprofen or acetaminophen. They're not making sense and can't interact meaningfully.
'You get that 'mom gut' feeling that something isn't right,' she said. 'Parents should listen to their intuition and get their kids checked out as soon as they feel like something is off, neurologically.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Teenager and Toddler Contract Parasite Spread by Exposure to Raccoon Feces
The two unrelated children were hospitalized and treated for B. procyonis infectionsNEED TO KNOW Two California children contracted a rare parasite commonly spread by raccoon feces and occasionally by dogs The two unrelated kids — a teenager and a toddler — were hospitalized and treated for B. procyonis infections in 2024 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says people should "avoid contact with raccoons and their feces"Two children in California contracted a rare parasite that is commonly spread by raccoon feces and occasionally by dogs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) detailed two 2024 cases of a B. procyonis infection found in two unrelated children — a 14-year-old boy and a 15-month-old boy — in its latest Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, published on Thursday, July 31. The infection, commonly referred to as raccoon roundworm infection, is caused by the Baylisascaris procyonis roundworm, which is often spread by exposure to raccoon feces and can also be transmitted to dogs in rare cases. According to the report, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) was notified last year of two patients with neurological signs and symptoms — such as behavioral change, lethargy and "gait instability" — consistent with the infection. Both cases were in the South Bay area of Los Angeles County, according to a LACDPH release from September 2024. According to the CDC, raccoons can "shed millions of roundworm eggs in their feces every day," which then become infective after a few weeks and can develop into larvae when consumed by "nondefinitive hosts." There have only been 35 cases in humans reported in the U.S., the health organization said. The teenage boy, who is autistic, had a history of ingesting non-food items and was initially hospitalized in May 2024 due to a series of "behavioral changes," according to the new information from the CDC. After "enhancing" lesions were detected in the boy's brain, doctors discovered and treated what the CDC called "a live parasitic nematode" in his eye. The teen was prescribed medication for a six-week period, before symptoms "subsequently resolved" and he returned to his "baseline neurologic status," according to the agency. The second patient, a toddler, was also hospitalized that June, before a brain MRI found "diffuse white matter abnormalities." Months later, doctors eventually discovered a "live parasitic nematode" in his eye — which, like the older boy, was treated with a laser. Both boys were also treated with a drug for paramedic worms, albendazole and the anti-inflammatory corticosteroids. While a source of the infection was not clear for the toddler, the CDC reported that a raccoon latrine — or an area where the animals defecate — was located on the rooftop of the teenager's home, "directly above the entrance to the premises, allowing feces to roll onto the landing below." The child was suspected to have consumed the feces or feces-contaminated soil. Due to the extent that raccoons visit the home, and unsuccessful efforts to move the animal's latrine, the family is planning on moving, the CDC said. "Given the severity of disease in humans, the high prevalence of B. procyonis infection in raccoons, and the proximity of raccoons to humans and pets, B. procyonis is a substantial public health concern," the CDC said. "To prevent infection, the public should avoid contact with raccoons and their feces, not keep raccoons as pets, ensure that children or persons with developmental disabilities do not place contaminated objects or fingers into their mouths, practice good hand hygiene after outdoor activities and safely remove raccoon latrines on properties, paying special attention to flat surfaces such as rooftops, decks, tree stumps, or unsealed attics and other areas where raccoons prefer to defecate," they continued. Since dogs can also be infected, the CDC encourages dog owners to prevent their pets from eating raccoon feces and said pets should be treated with a "year-round parasite prevention product." Read the original article on People
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
Menopause increases your risk of STIs due to how aging changes your body
Diagnoses for sexually transmitted infections, or STIs, are increasing in older adults. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports the number of people older than 65 diagnosed with chlamydia, gonorrhea or syphilis in the U.S. increased about three-, five- and sevenfold, respectively, from 2010 to 2023. Data also suggests that women older than 50 are at greater risk for HIV than younger women. Explanations for why these infections are so common in older adults include limited understanding of STIs in this age group, infrequent condom use and increased availability of medications for conditions that typically limit sexual activity in older adults, such as like Viagra and Cialis for erectile dysfunction and estrogen creams and tablets for vaginal dryness. Many older adults are reluctant to discuss their sexual history with their partners and health care providers, which contributes to misconceptions that they are monogamous or sexually inactive. In my work as an infectious disease scientist, I examine the largely unexplored biological reasons for why postmenopausal women have increased susceptibility to STIs. My recently published research shows that menopause is associated with loss of the genital tract's protective barrier, an essential defense against the microbial pathogens that cause STIs. Menopause: A natural part of aging Menopause is the stage in a woman's life marked by no menstrual periods for 12 consecutive months. In the U.S., menopause begins on average between ages 45 and 55. It is estimated that by the year 2030, 1.2 billion women worldwide will be menopausal or postmenopausal. Menopause results from a loss of estrogen production from the ovaries, which can diminish vaginal lubrication and vaginal tissue elasticity. This can cause a condition called genitourinary syndrome of menopause, or GSM, which involves symptoms such as vaginal dryness and irritation, painful sex and frequent urinary tract infections. Roughly half of postmenopausal women experience GSM. In addition to these negative effects on vaginal health, research from my lab has found that menopause also compromises the structural integrity of the tissue lining the vagina. The surface of the vagina is composed of multiple layers of epithelial cells that are held together by numerous adhesion molecules, including the proteins desmoglein-1, or DSG1, and desmocollin-1, or DSC1. These proteins strengthen the vaginal lining and restrict pathogen access to deeper tissue, reducing the risk of infection. To explore how menopause affects the vaginal lining, we compared the DSG1 and DSC1 levels in vaginal tissue from postmenopausal and premenopausal women. We found significantly lower DSG1 and DSC1 levels in postmenopausal women. We then surgically removed the ovaries of mice to model the loss of ovarian estrogen production in postmenopausal women. We also detected significantly less DSG1 and DSC1 proteins in vaginal tissue from mice without ovaries compared with mice with intact ovaries. Mice without ovaries also had greater susceptibility to infection with herpes simplex virus type 2, or HSV-2, and were less able to clear chlamydia infection from their lower genital tract. On the other hand, applying estrogen cream to mice without ovaries restored the integrity of their vaginal lining and fully protected these mice from HSV-2 infection. Too important to ignore Fully understanding the behavioral and biological risk factors that contribute to STI susceptibility can help clinicians and public health officials tackle the startling increases in STIs among older adults. Together, our studies show there is a loss of integrity in the vaginal lining after menopause. While additional research is needed, findings from our lab suggest that estrogen-containing compounds used to relieve vaginal irritation and other symptoms of genitourinary syndrome of menopause can also reduce susceptibility to STIs among older adults. In the meantime, health care providers can help reduce the risk of STIs among older adults by consistently counseling them about safe sex practices and offering routine STI screening. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Thomas L. Cherpes, The Ohio State University Read more: Millions of women are working during menopause, but US law isn't clear on employees' rights or employers' obligations Iceland's recent volcanic eruptions driven by pooling magma are set to last centuries into the future The sex of your cells matters when it comes to heart disease Thomas L Cherpes receives funding from the National Institute on Aging and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
The Hill
7 hours ago
- The Hill
What still causes the plague in the US?
(NEXSTAR) — Northern Arizona recently recorded its first pneumonic plague-related death since 2007. Early last year, Oregon saw its first case of the bubonic plague since 2015. Person-to-person spread of the plague hasn't been seen in more than 100 years in the U.S., but cases occasionally pop up. So what causes them? The plague cases reported in the U.S. today are not exactly the same as those seen in medieval Europe. Between 1347 and 1352 alone, it's estimated that the plague caused the deaths of at least 25 million Europeans. Rats aboard a ship from the Crimea and Asia that docked in Sicily are blamed for bringing the bubonic plague into Europe. Once fleas ran out of host rodents in Europe – those that lacked resistance to the plague also died – they sought out humans. Fungus labeled 'urgent threat' by CDC is spreading rapidly, hospital study finds Eventually, those who were sick or at risk of carrying the plague were isolated and put into quarantine, much like guidance issued during the COVID pandemic. A vaccine in the late 19th century, improved sanitation, better health practices and modern antibiotics have been credited with helping to stop the spread of the plague when it pops up. The U.S. now sees about seven cases annually, on average, according to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The World Health Organization says most human cases over the last three decades have been in Africa. When cases do occur in the U.S., they're primarily in the West, with most reported in New Mexico and Arizona. Cases have also appeared within the region of southern Oregon, far western Nevada, and California. U.S. cases are, most often, bubonic. There are three main forms of the plague: bubonic (the most common during Europe's Black Death), septicemic, and pneumonic. Generally speaking, plague is brought on by the Yersinia pestis bacterium, with humans and mammals being affected. 'Quiet cracking' is the newest term for a workplace problem — and it's 'pretty pervasive,' expert says The three types of plague present with different symptoms and are caused by different things. Bubonic plague is caused by the bites of fleas that are mostly found on rodents. Symptoms of bubonic plague, the Cleveland Clinic explains, include a sudden high fever; chills; headaches; pain in the abdomen, arms, and legs; and large, swollen lymph nodes that can leak pus. While the bacteria will multiply in the lymph node where it entered the body, it's capable of spreading to other parts of the body if not treated with antibiotics. Septicemic plague has similar symptoms to bubonic plague, including fever, chills, extreme weakness, pain in the abdomen, shock, and the possibility of bleeding into the skin and other organs, the CDC explains. This form of plague can develop from untreated bubonic plague as well as from the handling of infected animals. Should a person with bubonic or septicemic plague go without treatment, and the bacteria reach their lungs, they can develop pneumonic plague. A person can also get pneumonic plague from breathing in 'droplets coughed out by another person or animal with pneumonic plague,' according to the CDC. Like other forms of plague, a person infected with pneumonic plague may develop a fever, headache, weakness, and pneumonia, with the latter developing 'rapidly.' While bubonic and septicemic plague may take a few days to set in, the incubation period for pneumonic plague may be just over a day, the CDC reports. It's the only form that can be spread person-to-person, and it is considered the most serious form of the disease. Between 2020 and 2023, the CDC reported 15 human plague cases were reported. Of those, three died. As the Cleveland Clinic explains, plague has to be treated with antibiotics as quickly as possible — taking antibiotics within 24 hours of symptoms gives you 'the best chance of getting better.' You could begin feeling better within a week or two, as long as you receive treatment, according to health experts. Regardless of the type of plague, about 90% survive with quick treatment. Untreated, 'plague is nearly always fatal,' the Cleveland Clinic said. Health officials have not said how the Arizona resident who died earlier this year of the pneumonic plague became infected. Oregon's case of bubonic plague last year was believed to be brought on by a pet cat. In recent years, Colorado has reported a cat testing positive for septicemic plague and a cat, two prairie dog colonies, and a squirrel testing positive for bubonic plague. Infected fleas are largely to blame for plague cases that occur in the U.S. today, but the handling of infected animals – like cats, rabbits, rats, mice, and squirrels, according to New York's Department of Health – has also been known to lead to the plague. To avoid getting the plague, it's recommended that you take steps to avoid flea bites. That includes wearing bug spray with DEET and clearing up spaces outside where the wild animals fleas love may live. It's also important to speak with your veterinarian about preventing fleas on your pets. Your pets should also not be allowed to roam outdoors freely if you live in an area prone to the plague.
