Nghe An: Many children with seasonal flu have to be hospitalized

The majority of children come to the hospital when they have symptoms of high fever, runny nose, and sneezing. Some children come to the hospital quite late (after 3-4 days of symptoms). These late children have complications of the flu such as pneumonia, otitis media... and must be hospitalized. The number of children with flu who must be hospitalized is about 30-40 children/day.

One of the children who had to be hospitalized was NQM (36 months old, in Hung Chinh commune - Vinh city). 3 days ago, NQM had a fever, but her family did not take her to a medical facility in time. Ms. TTT - NQM's mother said: On the afternoon of February 6, the family took her to the hospital for examination and testing, and the doctor discovered that she had influenza B with complications of acute bronchitis...

Specialist 2 Doctor Vuong Thi Minh Nguyet - Head of Examination Department, Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital said: The phenomenon of many children getting seasonal flu appeared before Tet and has lasted until now. Depending on the severity, doctors will order the child to be hospitalized for treatment or advise and send them home for treatment.

Seasonal flu is an acute infectious disease with symptoms of fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, runny nose, sore throat and cough. The main causative agents are influenza A(H3N2), influenza A(H1N1), influenza B and influenza C viruses. The disease is highly contagious, transmitted through the respiratory tract, through small droplets of saliva or nasal secretions from sneezing and coughing. Usually, the disease is mild and recovery occurs within 2-7 days.

However, for children (under 6 months old, with congenital heart disease, immunodeficiency), the elderly (with chronic heart, lung, kidney, metabolic disease, anemia) ... the disease can progress more severely, easily have complications and can even lead to death.

Seasonal fluis a serious global public health problem. In Vietnam, influenza occurs year-round, with more than 287,000 cases and 8 deaths recorded in 2024. At this time, the Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases has been receiving and treating many cases of seasonal flu in severe, even life-threatening conditions.

Also according to Specialist Doctor 2 Vuong Thi Minh Nguyet: Seasonal flu tends to spread into an epidemic in the winter-spring season. The cold, humid climate, heavy rain, damp and humid weather create favorable conditions for bacteria and viruses to develop rapidly, increasing the risk of causing disease to humans. At the same time, this time often takes place, people travel more, so there is an increased risk of flu epidemics... Many people have a subjective mentality when they get the flu, thinking it is just a mild illness, and do not go to the doctor early. When the disease progresses severely, the patient is hospitalized, making treatment difficult.

Information from the Provincial Center for Disease ControlNghe An: In 2024, the whole province recorded 19,990 cases of influenza of all types (no deaths), a decrease of 1,233 cases compared to 2023. In January 2025, the whole province recorded 655 cases of influenza, lower than the same period in 2023 (1,503 cases) and the same period in 2024 (2,375 cases).

However, according to epidemiologists, these numbers do not fully reflect the number of flu cases. Many people with flu do not go to the hospital but instead self-test, buy medicine or go to private clinics for examination and treatment.

Master, Doctor Nguyen Trong Di - Deputy Head of the Department of Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases, Nghe An Province Center for Disease Control said: Influenza viruses are constantly changing, so vaccination is considered the best preventive measure.

Currently, influenza vaccines have not been included in the expanded immunization program. According to Resolution No. 104/NQ-CP dated August 15, 2022 of the Government, influenza vaccines will not be included in the expanded immunization program until 2030. However, in Nghe An, there are currently many service vaccination clinics. People can go to these vaccination clinics to get the influenza vaccine.

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To proactively prevent seasonal flu, people need to limit contact with people with flu or suspected cases when not necessary.
Wear a mask in crowded places and on public transport; wash your hands frequently with soap and water or hand sanitizer (especially after coughing or sneezing). Do not spit in public places.
Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, preferably with a cloth or handkerchief or disposable tissue or your sleeve, to reduce the spread of respiratory secretions.
Get vaccinated against seasonal flu; practice a healthy lifestyle; eat enough nutrients to prevent influenza virus infection; increase physical activity to improve health.
When experiencing symptoms of cough, fever, runny nose, headache, fatigue, do not self-test or buy medicine for treatment at home, but contact a medical facility for timely advice, examination and treatment.

Master, Doctor Nguyen Trong Di - Deputy Head of Department of Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases, Center for Disease Control of Nghe An province