Why Kids Are at a Greater Risk for H1N1

CDC Reports 36 Children under 18 Have Died from Virus; Two-Thirds Had High-Risk Medical Conditions

(CBS)  Thursday, the CDC made it clear - when it comes to kids, there was no summer vacation from the H1N1 virus, reports CBS News medical correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton.

"We had H1N1 influenza throughout the summer in summer camps, and now with colleges and universities coming back into session, we're seeing more cases," said CDC Director Thomas Frieden.

Unlike the seasonal flu, the H1N1 virus is affecting school-age kids more than toddlers. More than 80 percent of the kids who died were between 5 and 17 years old. Of the 36 who died, two-thirds of them had high-risk medical conditions including cerebral palsy, epilepsy and seizure disorders. Some of the children with no pre-existing conditions were killed by a combination of the H1N1 flu and a bacterial infection.

"Kids with an underlying conditions need to be treated promptly if they develop fever, and first online or at the front of the line, for vaccination when it becomes available," Frieden said.

The CDC reiterated that the vast majority of cases are mild. That was reflected in the first weekly report of flu-like activity on college campuses. More than half of the colleges tracking flu symptoms reported sick students. With more than 1,600 cases, only one student has been hospitalized.

CBSNews.com Special Report: H1N1

Emory University in Atlanta is one of a half-dozen universities that have set up a voluntary isolation dorm just for flu cases. Three students inside spoke to the "The Early Show" via webcam.

"People are scared, that they don't want to get it," said Phil Mustert. "They think it's worse than it is. It's a strong flu."

The CDC Continues to see sporadic outbreak of flu throughout the country but is reporting high numbers of flu-like illness in the southeast, likely because many schools in the region are already back in session.

CBS News correspondent Jeff Glor asked Ashton more about the virus.

Glor: We're so used to the seasonal flu affecting the very old and the very young. This is affecting seemingly the healthiest members of society, school-aged kid, do we know why?

Ashton: We don't. The thinking is that the older adults have a built-in immunity that children and teens do not. It's important to remember among the deaths respected today by the CDC In children the majority were children with preexisting medical conditions.

Glor: I know vaccinations have been a hotly debated topics and I know we're hearing some medical centers are mandating vaccinations or employees get fired.

Ashton: Health care workers are among the five priority groups that the CDC recommends be vaccinated, but traditionally, health care workers are poor in that compliance, and only about 40 percent get a flu shot. This move of hospitals and medical centers making flu vaccination mandatory is unprecedented and speaks to how concerned they are both about their patients and their workers.

[Flu_Shot]

Kids are calling out sick on Friday and then Monday.
Friday was the school dance... humm?
Coincidence...I think these kids are running with this - taking advantage of it and playin a
game with their parents

[MPHgrad]

Emory University in Atlanta is one of a half-dozen universities that have set up a voluntary isolation dorm just for flu cases.

I see command of the English language is no longer necessary for journalism.

Correction:

"...universities that has set up a voluntary isolation dorm just for flu cases."

First, "of a half dozen..." is a prepositional phrase which does not affect the verb number. Second, Emory University is the singular subject and therefore takes a singular verb.

The mounting ignorance of basic English rules is disconcerting.

[sebringal]

Actually, the sentence is correct as originally worded.

The subject of the sentence is "is," which matches the singular subject named both by "Emory University" and by "one."

The clause "that have set up a voluntary isolation dorm" is used as an adjective to describe "half-dozen universities," and correctly uses the plural verb "have" to match "universities."

[sebringal]

Sorry--typo---The second paragraph should have begun with "The VERB of the sentence..."

[sebringal]

Sorry---typo---The second paragraph should have begun "The VERB of the sentence" not "The subject of the sentence."