GALVESTON COUNTY, Texas — A little girl in Galveston County has died after contracting the flu, according to the health department there.
The 6-year-old girl had been in a local hospital since October for another medical condition.
She developed symptoms of the flu in early February and tested positive for influenza. She died on February 5 but the health department just released the information.
The child did not have a flu vaccine.
No other details, including the name of the hospital where she contracted the flu, were released. The health department says all staff members there have been vaccinated.
More than a dozen Texans have died from the flu in 2019 as we head into the peak of the season.
It can be especially dangerous for children, the elderly and people with pre-existing conditions like asthma.
Experts say it's not too late to get your flu shot.
“Even if you think you’ve had one case of the flu this year already, it doesn’t protect you from having another case from other strains ... it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get a flu shot.” said Dr. Michael Chang with Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital at UT Health.
Dr. Chang said if you do have symptoms of the flu, take them seriously and practice cough etiquette. You should cough into your sleeve, and try to avoid touching surfaces that could get contaminated.
One of the best ways to avoid getting the virus, is by practicing “hand-hygiene.”
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