Warning for acute encephalitis with Coxsackie virus

Only within the first 24 hours the child has expressed encephalitis and can die.

The cause of seven deaths in the period from April 19 to May 25 in Quang Lam commune, Bao Lam and Cao Bang districts was clearly identified.

According to the conclusion of a working group of the Ministry of Health, among 21 patients with symptoms of this local acute encephalitis , seven died from Coxsackie A6 virus , a dangerous enterovirus in the gastrointestinal tract. for children but little attention.

After conducting an outbreak investigation, Department of Preventive Medicine, the Ministry of Health confirmed that 11 samples were taken to test the results of the two samples positive for the virus, no samples were positive for influenza virus. .

Dangerous summer disease

According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Dac Phu, Director of Preventive Medicine, Coxsackie virus is a viral strain in the gastrointestinal tract , capable of causing many diseases for children such as the syndrome of aseptic encephalitis and summer flu. , hand-foot-mouth disease, myocarditis .

The disease is scattered throughout the year but often the number of cases increases in the summer months and peaks from June to August . If not detected early, timely cure, the disease will leave many serious sequelae such as cerebral palsy, leg paralysis, hand, epilepsy, deafness, poor memory, affecting learning outcomes . and has a mortality rate between 10% and 15%.

Therefore, in the summer time, regardless of the fever, respiratory inflammation accompanied by headache, nausea need to be monitored for early detection of viral encephalitis, early treatment of risk Neurological sequela left for children to be attacked by encephalitis virus.

On the other hand, because this virus reproduces rapidly in the gastrointestinal tract , is not destroyed by acidic environment of gastric juice, children are more susceptible to Coxsackie virus than adults due to infection through ingestion, exposure . .

A pediatric patient is being treated at the intensive anti-venom resuscitation department of Children's Hospital 1 (HCMC).(Artwork: HA PHICH).

Progress is very fast

According to Dr. Nguyen Ba Tung, Institute of Public Health Hygiene, Coxsackie A6 virus is progressing very fast, initially just a common gastrointestinal virus but only in a short time, maybe less than 24 hours early children have symptoms of encephalitis and other related diseases, leading to death.

"Through the exploitation of symptoms of deaths in Cao Bang children showed that all children are under six months of age with manifestations of mild fever, fussing, digestive disorders (go outside loose stools, vomiting .), In some cases, coughing, shortness of breath, then rapid development of acute brain syndrome, including seizures, tightening and death "- Mr. Tung said.

According to Dr. Tung, although all ages can be infected with the virus, most patients who identify Coxsackie infection are usually children , particularly women can transmit the virus that causes serious illness .

Tung said the Coxsackie virus infection is mainly through feces and mouth although in some cases the virus can be transmitted through saliva and sputum in the air from other patients. Personal items such as tools, locations where babies are changing nappies, toys that have been exposed to secretions from a patient's body containing a virus may also be the cause of transmission.

The Ministry of Health also recommends that people maintain general hygiene; cooked and cooked; ensuring food safety and hygiene; Enhance personal hygiene, regularly wash your hands with soap. Clean surfaces, everyday objects, floors with soap or regular detergents. Use hygienic latrines; implement environmental sanitation. Absolutely no contact with sick people.

"Parents should pay attention, when children have fever, gastrointestinal disorders, dyspnea . it is necessary to bring the child to a medical facility immediately for medical examination and timely treatment. In case doubt, to confirm the disease, the doctor will have to conduct cerebrospinal fluid to determine the cause, early treatment, avoid late detection, children at risk of leaving neurological sequelae " - Dr. Tung Khuyen fox.

Coxsackie virus disease and signs of identification:

1. Aseptic meningitis and encephalitis: A typical patient with aseptic meningitis with a sudden fever with chills, headache, photophobia, and eye pain, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, stiff neck.

2. Non-specific fever or summer flu: The common clinical manifestation of Coxsackie virus infection is a nonspecific fever. After an incubation period of 3-6 days, the patient has a sudden fever with drowsiness, headache.

3. Hand-foot-mouth disease : The disease can form fluid and is characterized by stomatitis, the boards have blisters on the hands and feet. After 4-6 days of incubation, the patient appears fever, anorexia and drowsiness, sore throat and blisters in the oral mucosa, tongue, then in the back, sometimes the palms.

4. Acne pharyngitis: The disease appears suddenly with high fever, sometimes up to 40 ^o C, some patients convulsions due to high fever; headache, muscle pain, vomiting, sore throat .

5. Acute pericarditis: Symptoms appear abruptly with pre-chest pain, increased pain when inhaled, and when lying on the back, the pericardial rub appears early. Patients experience fever, headache and muscle aches.

Dr. NGUYEN BA TUNG, Institute of Public Health Hygiene - Ministry of Health

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It is worrisome that there is no vaccine to prevent the Coxsackie virus. Therefore, parents should pay special attention to preventing children from getting sick. Should isolate sick children to control the infection, enhance personal hygiene and environment, wash hands often, make use of reasonable latrines . Absolutely do not let children contact with sick people .

PGS-TS TRAN DAC PHU, Director of Preventive Medicine Department