Many children hospitalized with influenza A, warning of risk of serious complications

The Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases informed that doctors at the hospital are 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.

A 16-month-old patient, named TTH (in Hanoi ), was diagnosed with influenza A, with bronchitis and pneumonia, and was fortunately discovered and treated promptly.

Baby H. was healthy and lived with a family whose older sister had the flu. Three days before being admitted to the hospital, the child had a high fever, runny nose, and a dry cough. Later, he developed wheezing and a cough with thick phlegm. The child was exhausted, had poor cough, and had a lot of phlegm.

The patient was brought by his family to the Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases for examination and the influenza A test result was positive. Clinical examination showed signs of secondary infection in the lungs, with many moist lung patches and rales on both sides. Chest X-ray images at admission showed bilateral bronchopulmonary lesions and obvious bacterial superinfection.

Blood tests showed that the infection in patient H. was severe: white blood cells increased 13.8 G/L, CRP 51 mg/L - more than 10 times higher than normal. 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 is 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, 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 - typical symptoms of influenza A infection.

The examination results confirmed that patient L. had influenza A but had no complications. The patient was hospitalized for treatment according to the correct regimen, and was also given pain relief, anti-vomiting, electrolyte replacement, and close monitoring.

Children with influenza A are hospitalized for treatment at the Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases. (Photo: PV/Vietnam+)

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, aching bones and joints. In addition, children may have convulsions due to high fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. If the disease progresses severely, children may become lethargic, less responsive, refuse to breastfeed, breathe rapidly, or have sunken chest, all of which are 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 in a timely manner will help to treat them properly and limit serious complications./.

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/nhieu-tre-nho-nhap-vien-vi-mac-cum-a-canh-bao-nguy-co-bien-chung-nang-post1075734.vnp