A 6th child has died from the flu in Mass. this flu season, along with 187 adults

A sixth Massachusetts child has died from the flu, according to the state’s Department of Public Health. 

The pediatric influenza death was reported during the week of Jan. 18.

The child’s death comes nearly a month after Boston announced its first pediatric flu death since 2013.

“Any signs of increased work of breathing or difficulty breathing, dehydration, seizures, or mental status changes should prompt an urgent medical evaluation in a hospital setting,” said Dr. Kirstin Moffit, an associate physician in pediatrics with Boston Children’s Hospital’s infectious disease division. 

According to the CDC, children under the age of two and adults over the age of 65 have a higher risk for developing flu complications.  

As of Jan. 24, 187 adults have died from influenza this season, the DPH said. 

While flu hospitalizations have decreased nearly 2 percent between Jan. 11 and Jan. 24, flu-like illness activity — which the state bases on outpatient visits for flu — still remains high, recent flu data says.

Last week, flu type A was the most commonly diagnosed in Massachusetts, said the DPH flu chart, which tracks flu trends across Massachusetts. 

Moffit says that the flu has the same symptoms of common viruses like cough, congestion, sore throat, and runny nose. 

“Young children may also experience GI symptoms such as nausea and vomiting from the flu,” Moffit said.