Cold season flu: Don't be subjective with silent complications

Colder weather causes the flu virus to spread rapidly among many age groups. If we are not careful, it can cause many immediate and long-term health complications.

Many people think that the flu is just a mild, common disease, so they pay little attention to prevention and proper care when they get sick, even buying medicine to take for a few days. In fact, although most cases are benign, the flu can still cause complications if taken lightly.

Most contagious in the morning and evening

According to Master - Doctor Le Ngo Minh Nhu, Ngu Quan Clinic (Ear, Nose, Throat - Eyes), University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City - Facility 3, the flu virus spreads faster in the cold season due to many biological and behavioral factors:

The most contagious times of day when it's cold are usually morning and evening, when temperatures are lowest.

Photo: AI

Cold air, low humidity : Makes the flu virus survive longer in the air. The virus's lipid membrane is most stable at low temperatures, helping the virus "live longer" and spread more easily.

Closed spaces : Cold weather makes people stay in closed rooms, rarely open doors, increasing close contact, thereby increasing the risk of respiratory infections.

Dry respiratory tract lining : Cold air dries out the protective mucus layer, making it easier for viruses to invade.

Decreased innate immunity : Cold weather can reduce the activity of some immune cells, especially in the nose and throat.

“The most contagious time of the day when it is cold is usually in the morning and evening, when the temperature is lowest, droplets can survive longer in closed spaces. This is also the time when people gather in large numbers in offices, classrooms, and public transport,” said Dr. Minh Nhu.

Complications to note in both adults and children

Notably, Dr. Nhu knows that flu can trigger and aggravate chronic diseases such as:

Asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) : Influenza virus causes inflammation of the respiratory tract, easily leading to acute attacks and hospitalization.

Cardiovascular disease : Inflammation increases the heart's workload, triggering myocardial ischemia, arrhythmias, or acute heart failure.

Risk of other serious complications : Risk of pneumonia, sepsis... in the elderly and immunocompromised people.

If you are subjective when having the flu in the cold season, you may have to face a condition where the disease progresses rapidly to pneumonia, secondary infection, respiratory failure, acute exacerbation of the underlying disease, electrolyte disturbances, dehydration, and exhaustion.

In children, specialist doctor 1 Truong Thi Ngoc Phu, Children's Hospital 2 said, most cold season flu is benign, however if parents are subjective or self-treat incorrectly, children can still experience immediate complications such as pneumonia, acute otitis media, bronchospasm, dehydration due to high fever accompanied by vomiting or refusal to breastfeed, even difficulty breathing and respiratory failure.

In the long term, influenza can increase the risk of recurrent asthma, chronic sinusitis, decreased resistance and affect physical development due to poor nutrition during the illness. Notably, children under 2 years old, premature, malnourished or with underlying respiratory diseases often progress more quickly and are more likely to be hospitalized.

When symptoms such as cough or muscle pain persist, flu patients can use medication as directed by a doctor and absolutely do not arbitrarily use antibiotics when there are no signs of secondary infection.

Photo: AI

Prevent flu properly

According to Dr. Ngoc Phu, during the changing seasons - when respiratory diseases increase in annual cycles - parents need to proactively protect their children with some basic measures:

Keep warm properly, especially the neck, chest, hands and feet.

Avoid exposing children to sudden temperature changes when entering and leaving air-conditioned rooms and do not let fans or air conditioners blow directly on children.

Clean nose and throat regularly, wash nose with saline when child has stuffy nose, especially after coming home from school.

Limit cross-infection by teaching children to wash their hands properly, avoid contact with people who are coughing or have a fever, and limit smoky environments or crowded, air-tight places.

Strengthening resistance through a nutritious diet, adequate sleep, reasonable exercise and drinking enough water is very important, especially in cold weather.

Getting up-to-date with essential vaccines like influenza, pneumococcal, and Hib has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of respiratory illness and serious complications.

In adults, Dr. Nhu emphasized that when having the flu during the cold season, one should not be subjective. When symptoms such as cough or muscle pain persist, the patient can use medication according to the doctor's instructions and absolutely do not arbitrarily use antibiotics when there are no signs of secondary infection. In addition, getting a flu vaccine every year is considered an effective measure to help reduce the risk of the disease progressing and shorten the recovery time if you have the flu.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/cum-mua-lanh-dung-chu-quan-voi-nhung-bien-chung-am-tham-185251208224221609.htm