Health Department: Flu complications kill 8-year-old ST. PAUL - State health officials reported the first child death from influenza in two flu seasons on Wednesday, when an 8-year-old died in Ramsey County. The child had no underlying medical conditions and hadn't been vaccinated against the flu, said Kris Ehresmann, head of immunizations at the Minnesota Health Department. Hospital testing identified the flu strain as influenza type A, she said. The death comes as flu bugs are spreading among school-age children, with 55 Minnesota schools reporting likely outbreaks in the last week, Ehresmann said. The flu is rarely fatal for children. One Minnesota child died during the 2004-05 flu season, and there were no pediatric flu deaths in the 2005-06 and 2003-04 flu seasons, she said. "Deaths from influenza are uncommon among children - both kids with high-risk conditions and kids without high-risk conditions - but they do happen," Ehresmann said. Parents should contact a health care provider if their child develops symptoms different from or more severe than the common cold. Ehresmann said it's not too late to get immunized against the flu, and plenty of vaccine is still available. http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/16590519.htm
This afternoon I read about this news and didn't think much of it until I picked up my kids from school. Then my 7yr old told me about her classmate who died from catching the flu. It hits me that the article above is of her classmate. She was questioning me about death with teary eyes. She thought everyone would live old and die. That's the only concept she has because every funeral she has heard of us (the parent) has attended are for elderly members. I'd like to hear from some of the parents and yes, even single person on how you would deal with explaining about death to your child or a child, how do you approach them on this subject?
Vic ~ I have two boys and my only suggestion is to be honest and answer their question. Keep it simple ~ they don't need to know all the details. They are looking only for an answer not an explanation (if that makes sense). At least that has been my experience with my two boys. I hope that helps, talking about death at any age is not easy. Just my 2 cents.
I agree. I know my daughter doesn't have the understanding of death as she's only 2 1/2 yrs old but I don't sugar coat anything saying that the bunny went to bunny heaven when we found a dead one in the yard. She says "yeah, the bunny is dead and it won't come back" It may sound sad that she's only 2 and says that but keeping life true and open to her will hopefully help it settle in when she's older.
Good luck. I know how that is too, but she will be ok if she knows that it is ok to be sad. That is all part of it too. Sounds like she has a great Dad. :biggrin:
My son is in fourth grade at Lake Elmo Elem. Earlyer this year one of his classmates mother and her boyfriend were murdered in her house, by an ex-boyfriend. It was in the news. I was freaked out, but my son, asked a few questions. Then he thought about it for a day or so. He later told me the best thing he could do was just keep on being his friend. He made me proud. Kids are pretty resiliant, in todays world. Horrible things happen to good people,and sometimes there's nothing you can do. Hang in there. mac-leg
Treat children with the same levity you would treat an adult and you will received adult like behavior in return . . . as mentioned do not add information that they do not request. Simple, straight forward, clean.
yep.. simple and loving... tell him/her that they can always come to you ith any concerns or struggles understanding ANYTHING... be willing to listen.. sounds like you are a great parent... just love em...
This kind of thing scares me. My wife and I believe firmly in vaccinations and such, but I have a daughter from before whose mother doesn't believe in vaccinations. It's sad when something we have treatment for can still kill in this day and age, especially our children.
