Increasing number of children with influenza A have severe complications

On November 9, a representative of the National Children's Hospital said that in the past two weeks, the number of children with influenza A who had to be hospitalized for treatment has increased significantly. On average, 10-20 children with influenza A had to be hospitalized for treatment every day.

Currently, the Tropical Disease Center (National Children's Hospital) is treating 80 children with influenza A as inpatients. Dr. Do Thien Hai, Deputy Director of the Tropical Disease Center, said that most of the children with influenza A being treated at the center are in serious condition, such as: complications of pneumonia, respiratory failure, encephalitis and myocarditis.

Meanwhile, at Hanoi Children's Hospital, the first week of November recorded 280 children with influenza coming for examination (equal to more than 50% of the total number of influenza cases examined in October 2025), of which 65 children were hospitalized. The Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases is also treating more than 50 patients with influenza A, including many adolescents with influenza A with bronchitis and secondary pneumonia.

Doctors at the Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases examine a child with influenza A. Photo: BVCC

According to medical experts, influenza A is transmitted through the respiratory tract and can occur in all ages, 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. In the early stages, people with influenza A often have symptoms similar to other respiratory viral infections, but the disease can progress very quickly, causing serious complications if not detected and treated promptly. Children with influenza A often have symptoms of continuous high fever, runny nose, and increasing cough accompanied by fatigue and crying. In adults, symptoms often include body aches and joint pain.

The Ministry of Health recommends that the current seasonal transition is a factor that increases influenza A, so people should proactively prevent the disease by getting vaccinated against influenza. This is an effective measure to help protect health, reduce the risk of disease and avoid dangerous complications. Doctors also recommend that when someone in the house has influenza A, people living together need to be relatively isolated such as: wearing masks, limiting contact to avoid spreading, especially the elderly and people with underlying medical conditions.

NGUYEN QUOC

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/gia-tang-tre-mac-cum-a-bi-bien-chung-nang-post822689.html