The risk of flu outbreaks

Associate Prof. Dr. Pham Ngoc Dinh - Deputy Director of the Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, said that March to April is a time of easy outbreak of the common flu syndrome (influenza A / H3N2, A / H1N1, flu B) by the time Seasonal transfiguration facilitates virus growth.

The survey results of the influenza key surveillance project at 12 points across the country show that in the first months of 2007, influenza A / H3N2 is showing signs of strong development to replace the decreasing trend of influenza A / H1N1. .

At present, each week, the Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology Central tests about 20 samples suspected of being infected with influenza A / H5N1 virus. However, none of the samples were infected with avian influenza virus. It is known that Vietnam is currently able to monitor the situation of flu syndrome (flu-like symptoms), but not yet monitor the flu.

At the Pediatrics Department (Saint Pault Hospital) from before Tet until this time, there was always a situation of overloading the sick children caused by the weather. Dr. Nguyen Minh Thu, Dean of the Department, said that among 350-450 children who go to the clinic every day, up to 60% suffer from respiratory infections, with common flu symptoms.

Ms. Mai (Foreign Trade Bank officer) brought her 3-year-old daughter with fever, cough, runny nose, quit eating for 3 days now. She treated her baby at home but did not help her, she still had fever to take to hospital.

Children infected with influenza are very susceptible to complications
(Artwork: Tienphong)

Thu said that children who have regular flu syndrome without timely treatment are more likely to develop complications from bronchitis. At that time, the risk of death will be very high.

Many children also fall into severe flu when high fever lasts for several days, continuously taking hypothermia. Even, there are babies who have continuous infusion to cool down. There is a family subjective to children with high fever leading to seizures, affecting the nervous system.

Dr. Ding said the symptoms of the flu are often not different even though the patient may be infected with different types of flu viruses. The most common symptoms of influenza are: cough, fever, runny nose, sore throat, headache and fatigue. Healthy adults usually recover after 1 to 2 weeks.

Flu is an acute respiratory infection that causes high fever, the incubation period is usually 1 to 5 days before the onset of symptoms.

The first phase of the flu, the predominant systemic symptoms such as fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, loss of appetite and lasting about 3 days. When the disease progresses, respiratory symptoms will appear as dry cough, runny nose, sore throat. Fever is an important symptom, the temperature usually rises rapidly and is as high as 40-41 degrees Celsius, the fever usually lasts about 3 days, but can be 4-8 days.

Patients often recover quickly, but symptoms of fatigue can last for days or sometimes weeks, some patients may experience severe complications. Common complications include dehydration, pneumonia, and other chronic diseases that are aggravated.

Prevent complications from pneumonia

According to Dr. Attached to acute viral pneumonia is a very severe form of influenza. Symptoms start like regular flu but progress rapidly within 3 days, the patient will have high fever, cough, shortness of breath and cyanosis. Pulmonary edema due to heart failure and other neurological and kidney manifestations. High mortality rate and rapid progression. Antibiotics are not effective against viruses.

The flu can infect people all over the world regardless of age and race. Flu pandemics can spread from origin to other areas within a few months.

The speed of transmission is getting higher and higher when there are intercontinental fast transport facilities. Humid, cold weather, crowded and non-ventilated public transport are good conditions for triggering flu pandemics.

Prevention?

Currently there is no specific treatment for influenza.Dr. Dinh said that amantadine or rimantadine can be used within 48 hours after being infected with influenza A, taking 3-5 days will reduce symptoms of the disease.

Dose of 5mg / day divided 2 times for children aged 1-9 years;100mg / 2 times / day for children over 9 years of age (if weighing less than 45 kg, use 5mg / kg / day in 2 divided doses for 2-5 days), should reduce the dose for the elderly over 65 years.

Flu vaccination is needed for everyone who needs to protect themselves during the cold season. However, some groups are recommended to get the flu vaccine because of the high risk of getting the flu and complications due to flu. That is the elderly, children, people with chronic diseases: respiratory cardiovascular disease, bronchial asthma, metabolic disease .

Dr. Pham Ngoc Dinh said that every year, preventive and infectious medicine in the world have important reviews to assess which flu viruses are mainly in the coming season, through which vaccine manufacturers will offer appropriate flu vaccines. The prevention of flu by vaccination is really an expected result for many people, especially women who are about to get pregnant, the elderly, people with chronic diseases and children.

Doctors recommend that, in addition to vaccine prevention, people need to proactively protect their health during the cold season such as always wearing warm, getting enough sleep, eating enough nutrients and avoiding contact with the disease source. In addition, prevention of influenza with amantadine or hydrochloride hydrochloride hydrochloride is effective against influenza A.

Thai Ha