Increase in influenza A during the changing seasons: Warning of the risk of serious complications

The Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases is treating nearly 50 patients with influenza A. The number of outpatient examinations and treatments for influenza A has increased rapidly in the past few weeks, most of whom are children.

Hospital examines pediatric patients at the Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases - Photo: BVCC

Children with influenza A infection

A 16-month-old patient, TTH ( Hanoi ), was diagnosed with influenza A, bronchitis, and pneumonia. Fortunately, he was discovered and treated promptly. The child was healthy and lived with a family whose older sister had the flu.

Three days before admission, the child had a high fever, runny nose, and a dry cough, followed by wheezing and a cough with thick phlegm. The child was exhausted, had poor cough, and had a lot of phlegm.

The child came to the Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases for examination and tested positive for influenza A. Clinical examination showed signs of secondary infection in the lungs, with many moist lung patches and rales on both sides.

Chest X-rays on admission showed bilateral bronchopulmonary lesions and obvious bacterial superinfection. Blood tests showed severe infection. If not detected and treated early, the disease can progress rapidly to acute respiratory failure or sepsis.

After two days of inpatient treatment, the child responded well, fever reduced, breathing improved, and breastfeeding resumed, but still needed close monitoring. Another case was a female patient HL (10 years old), admitted to the hospital with a high fever of 39.5°C, severe cough, vomiting more than 10 times/day, sometimes vomiting blood, general fatigue, and inability to eat or drink.

In addition, the child showed signs of pain in the bones and joints throughout the body, body aches, and severe headaches - which are typical symptoms of influenza A infection. The examination results determined that the child had influenza A but had no complications. The child was hospitalized for treatment according to the correct regimen, and was also supported with pain relief, anti-vomiting, electrolyte replacement, and close monitoring.

Risk of serious complications from influenza A

Dr. Nguyen Dinh Dung, Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases, said that influenza A is an acute infectious disease transmitted through the respiratory tract, which can occur at any age, but young children, the elderly or people with underlying diseases are at higher risk because their immune systems are weak and susceptible to serious complications.

Notably, the early stages of influenza A are often similar to other respiratory viruses, but the disease can progress very quickly, causing serious complications such as pneumonia, respiratory failure or sepsis if not detected and treated promptly.

According to Dr. Dung, most children with influenza A have a high fever, runny nose, and increasing cough, accompanied by fatigue and crying. Older children and adults often have more obvious symptoms of body aches and pains in bones and joints.

In addition, children may experience convulsions due to high fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. If the disease progresses, children may become lethargic, less responsive, refuse to breastfeed, breathe rapidly, or have sunken chest - all warning signs of complications.

Dr. Dung recommends that parents should closely monitor their children's health. When children show signs of illness or fever, they should be taken to the nearest medical facility for examination, early diagnosis and proper treatment. Do not use drugs at home on your own, especially antibiotics.

Taking your child to the doctor promptly will help with proper treatment and limit serious complications.

How to prevent flu?

With the increase in influenza A cases during the changing seasons, disease prevention and flu vaccination are extremely important to protect the health of the whole family.

Doctor Nguyen Nguyen Huyen, director of the hospital's Center for Disease Prevention, emphasized: "Currently, the changing seasons and erratic temperature changes are favorable conditions for influenza A virus to spread strongly in the community.

Annual flu vaccination is a simple but extremely effective measure to help protect health, reduce the risk of disease and avoid dangerous complications, especially in young children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with underlying diseases.

People should proactively vaccinate themselves and their children against the flu, especially during times when the epidemic is on the rise. In addition, it is necessary to maintain personal hygiene, wash hands regularly, wear masks when going to crowded places and isolate sick people to limit the spread in families and schools," Dr. Huyen advised.

WILLOW

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/gia-tang-cum-a-thoi-diem-giao-mua-canh-bao-nguy-co-bien-chung-nang-20251110101832103.htm