Children fight H1N1 in the Tri-Cities

H1N1 And Children (Added: November 05, 2009)

Health officials encourage parents to get their children the H1N1 vaccine. (more)

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By: Bill Christian | TriCities.com
Published: November 05, 2009

Nine year-old Frank Wadewitz has H1N1.
"I couldn't even get down the steps when we were coming to the emergency room," said Wadewitz.
Frank wasn't feeling well one day at school, he went to the doctor that afternoon and was taken to the hospital two days later with a very high temperature.
"Never dreamed two days after the diagnose that we would be here at the emergency room," said Edith Ann Buckles Wadewitz, mother.
Frank isn't unique. An untold number of children in the Tri-Cities are fighting H1N1. Dr. Joe Ley is Chairman of Pediatrics for Holston Medical Group. He said they are seeing more children come in with H1N1 and the seasonal flu.
"We've had probably almost a doubling of volume at this time compared to this time last year," said Ley.
So which children are most at risk for H1N1? Dr. Ley said children from birth to 6 months of age who aren't allowed to have the H1N1 vaccine, also children with asthma or other chronic diseases are also at a greater risk for H1N1.
Even though there is some concern over the H1N1 vaccine and complications like fevers and soreness, Dr. Ley is convinced that all children should be vaccinated.
"We've seen kids now that have had the vaccine and tolerated it very well. We would expect that they should do quite well just like with the regular flu shot," Ley said.

Children fight H1N1 in the Tri-Cities

H1N1 And Children (Added: November 05, 2009)

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