How should we deal with rising flu cases?

Influenza A is an acute respiratory infection that usually occurs in winter-spring when the seasons change (seasonal flu). Influenza A is caused by strains of influenza A virus such as H1N1, H5N1, and H7N9….

The disease is spread through the respiratory tract through droplets released when an infected person coughs or sneezes or through contact with objects or surfaces infected with the virus. Anyone can get it, especially children, the elderly, and pregnant women.

Symptoms

The initial symptoms of influenza A or seasonal flu, in general, are similar. Children may have a fever and respiratory tract infections (such as coughing, sneezing, and runny nose). Therefore, when children have these signs, it is often difficult for parents to distinguish whether the child has influenza A or not.

However, in addition to the initial symptoms above, children infected with influenza A often have a high fever of 39-40oC, congested skin and eyes, a red and congested throat, fatigue, poor appetite, fussiness, and severe cases, shortness of breath, pneumonia, bronchiolitis…

Treatment

When children have symptoms of high fever and respiratory tract infections, as mentioned above, parents need to take their children to the nearest medical facilities for examination and diagnosis. Doctors advise how to care and treat appropriately for each child's condition.

Most children with seasonal flu who are diagnosed with influenza alone will be prescribed drugs. Cases with manifestations of respiratory complications such as bronchitis, pneumonia, bronchiolitis, and hospitalization will be indicated.

Parents must follow the doctor's instructions, let their children drink water, eat easily absorbed foods, and take fever-reducing medicines, specialized medicine (cough, cold, anti-snoring), and vitamins(especially vitamin C) to increase resistance.

Note that a doctor must prescribe the drugs used; parents are not allowed to use them themselves.

Precautions

The most effective way to prevent disease is to get an active flu vaccine; the ideal time is three months before the winter-spring transition (July-September) so that the body can produce the necessary antibodies to fight the disease. Against viruses. The flu virus is constantly changing; after a year, the antibodies also gradually decrease, so getting a booster shot every year is recommended.

In addition, it is necessary to pay attention to improving children's health: give them a nutritious diet, and supplement with vitamins, minerals, and multivitamins according to age. 

Maintain personal hygiene, such as washing hands with antibacterial soap or antiseptic solution before eating, when going from outside to home, and after going to the toilet. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with your hands.

Regularly clean the children's living and playing space, especially the classroom environment, toys, and items children come into contact with daily.

This is a respiratory disease, so avoid bringing children to crowded places, especially in contact with people with the flu. It is necessary to wear a mask when going out to limit the spread of infection.

CarePlus international clinic system provides flu vaccination services for children and adults. Before vaccination, children will be thoroughly examined and screened for their health and condition by pediatricians. After that, the doctor will advise on the vaccine and vaccination regimen, side effects, and how to care for the baby after vaccination at home.

When immunizing at CarePlus, parents are completely secure because the vaccine is stored in a modern frozen warehouse, and the injection room is fully equipped with standard medical equipment. The team of doctors and nurses are specially trained in vaccination, understand the psychology of children, and are very enthusiastic and thoughtful, helping them overcome their fear of vaccination.

In particular, after vaccination, children will be monitored for 30 minutes in a spacious, airy, and colorful playground. Health information and vaccination history of the baby will be kept; very convenient to look up, and parents will receive a message reminding the child's vaccination schedule when it is close to the booster vaccination schedule.

To register for flu vaccination, please dial the hotline 18006116 (toll-free) or inbox Fanpage/Zalo CarePlus Clinic Vietnam or register online at the website. 

Download the arePlus app for faster scheduling and more convenient calendar tracking!

CARE PLUS INTERNATIONAL CLINIC SYSTEM - Member of Singapore Medical Group

• Branch 1: 66 - 68 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1, City. Ho Chi Minh City

• Branch 2: 2nd Floor, Crescent Plaza, 105 Ton Dat Tien, Tan Phu Ward, District 7, City. Ho Chi Minh City

• Branch 3: 107 Tan Hai, Ward 13, Tan Binh District, City. Ho Chi Minh City