Riverside County health officials share the warning signs of the flu following the death of a local child

Riverside County health officials are sharing the warning signs of the influenza, or the flu, after announcing that a Coachella Valley child died from the virus earlier this month. 

The county is urging you to take your child to a medical care facility if they are exhibiting the following flu-related symptoms: 

 · Fast breathing or trouble breathing

· Bluish lips or face

· Ribs pulling in with each breath

· Chest pain

· Severe muscle pain (child refuses to walk)

· Dehydration (no urine for 8 hours, dry mouth, no tears when crying)

· Not alert or interacting when awake

· Seizures

· Fever above 104 degrees Fahrenheit that is not controlled by fever-reducing medicine

· In children younger than 12 weeks, any fever

· Fever or cough that improve but then return or worsen

· Worsening of chronic medical conditions

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the flu contributed to the deaths of over 4,000 Californians in 2021. 

As flu season continues, health officials are reminding people to get vaccinated against the virus annually.

News Channel 3’s Tatum Larsen will be speaking with Riverside County health officials shortly for more on how you can keep you and your family healthy. 

For more information watch News Channel 3 at 4 p.m., 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.