Health Minute: Why children have higher flu risk

A doctor shares why the flu hits small children harder and tips for reducing the spread of viruses.

(CNN) – There’s good news and bad when it comes to seasonal flu activity in the U.S.

The latest CDC data shows that while flu cases remain elevated across the country, the amount of activity has decreased or remained stable for two consecutive weeks. But the bad news is that deaths linked to flu are trending upward, and health experts are bracing for the potential of a second round of the virus which often happens after the winter holidays.

The latest week of data also shows 15 pediatric deaths, for a total of 32 flu-related child deaths this season. It also shows that hospitalizations for flu for children under 18 have hit the highest weekly peak in over 15 years. “Children, especially under the age of 2, they’re pretty small, and when they’re still small, you get something that’s just so inflammatory like influenza. When it gets into your lungs, it causes a lot of inflammation,” says Dr. Frank Esper, of the Cleveland Clinic Children’s program.

According to the CDC, 90% of those who died from the flu were not fully vaccinated. Dr. Esper says the best way to protect against severe disease is for anyone over 6-months-old to get a flu shot, “By protecting yourself against influenza, you’re also protecting everybody in your family.”

But, protecting yourself and others from the flu doesn’t stop with vaccines. The doctor adds that keeping sick kids home, washing hands, and sanitizing regularly touched surfaces can help prevent the spread of illness. For young children, Dr. Esper recommends adults help them use hand sanitizer at school or preschool. “Using the alcohol is actually a better way to clean off their hands than to use soap and water,” says Dr. Esper.

Finally, consider masking up. Although it’s been years since mask mandates were removed, Dr. Esper says a face mask can make a difference, “When we masked up during the first rounds of COVID, we saw flu just drop because everybody was staying away from each other. Everybody was masking when they were out, and flu couldn’t get through that.” Taking measures to prevent spreading viruses can also help protect vulnerable groups like people over age 65, those who are pregnant, and people suffering from issues with their heart, lungs, or immune system.