(KRON) -- An adolescent-aged patient died from the flu, San Mateo County Health department officials said Wednesday. The young patient's death in December marks the second influenza-related death in the county this flu season. "The patient had not received this year’s flu shot, and it is not know n if there were underlying health conditions," SMCH wrote. US cuts the number of vaccines recommended for every child "We are deeply saddened by the loss of a young person in our community to influenza," Dr. Kismet Baldwin-Santana, San Mateo County health officer, said Wednesday. "There are steps people can take to protect themselves and those around them, including getting vaccinated, staying home when sick, and practicing preventative measures." To treat the flu, doctors can prescribe antiviral medications. Flu vaccinations reduce the risk of developing a serious case, including hospitalization and death, SMCH officials said. San Mateo County Health and the California Department of Public Health recommend that everyone six months of age and older receive the flu vaccine every year. "Vaccination remains our strongest protection," Baldwin-Santana said. "Getting the flushot helps protect not only yourself but also your family, classmates, and neighbors." Influenza can cause serious illness and complications, especially for people older than 64, people with certain chronic medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease, pregnant women, and children under five years old, health officials said. Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headaches, fatigue, vomiting, and diarrhea, according to SMCH. Flu activity usually increases during the fall and winter respiratory virus season. In San Mateo County, 18 influenza-related deaths of patients under 65 were recorded in 2024-2025, and nine deaths were recorded in 2023-24, health officials reported. ...read more read less