During the cold season, take precautions against the flu for children.

• September 16, 2015 08:30

During the cold season, low ambient temperatures and humidity create favorable conditions for the influenza virus to thrive and cause seasonal flu in humans. Children are particularly susceptible to influenza due to their underdeveloped immune systems...

According to statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately one-third of children worldwide are infected with influenza each year, and children are also among the groups with a high mortality rate due to the disease.

The "favorable weather and geographical conditions" contribute to the spread of influenza virus infection.

Weather and climate: environments with low humidity and moderate temperatures (cold, humid climates) facilitate the spread of influenza.

Living environment: poorly ventilated, densely populated, polluted, or damp environments facilitate the transmission of influenza viruses.

Crowded public transportation: especially when the distance between sick and healthy people is no longer safe (<1m), making it easy for people to inhale droplets expelled from sick people, especially children.

Influenza is easily confused with the common cold.

Colds and the flu are two completely different illnesses, although they share some similar symptoms. The differences are evident in the following three characteristics:

Differences in causative agents: the common cold is usually caused by several common respiratory viruses such as Adenovirus, Rhinovirus, Coronavirus, etc., while influenza is caused by the influenza virus, scientifically known as Influenzae.

Differences in clinical presentation and symptoms: the common cold usually causes mild to moderate respiratory symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, or nasal congestion; some patients may experience a dry cough or transient fatigue. In contrast, influenza typically presents with more severe symptoms, manifesting in the following three syndromes:

Infectious syndrome: Children with influenza often experience a persistent high fever of 39-40°C, flushed face, rapid pulse, loss of appetite, decreased urination, and dark yellow urine. They are usually lethargic and weak due to the fever.

Pain syndrome: severe and persistent headache that worsens with high fever or strenuous coughing, often more intense in the forehead and upper eye area. Patients also experience pain in the trunk muscles. Patients feel heat and pain in the upper sternum area.

Respiratory tract inflammation syndrome: symptoms appear in the first few days with varying degrees of severity, such as sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose, red eyes, watery eyes, photophobia, and a dry and sore throat. Children often also experience nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain.

They differ in terms of severity and complications: the common cold usually resolves on its own and does not cause any dangerous complications, while influenza, if not properly monitored and cared for, can cause serious complications.

Proper care for children with the flu at home.

The following principles should be observed in the care provided:

- Lower a child's fever when their body temperature reaches 38°C using paracetamol alone at a dose of 10-15mg/kg of body weight every 4-6 hours, combined with cooling with warm water compresses as needed. Absolutely do not use aspirin to lower a child's fever.

Give your child plenty of fluids, especially those rich in vitamin C such as fresh orange juice, lemon juice, and apple juice, to boost their immune system and help them recover from illness faster. Feed your child warm, easily digestible, and nutritious foods such as porridge, nutritious soup, and warm milk.

Take your child to the hospital immediately if their condition worsens, they refuse to eat or drink, cry excessively, and especially if they have a persistently high fever that doesn't subside after taking fever-reducing medication and actively cooling them down with compresses.

Proactive disease prevention

Remind children to wash their hands frequently with soap and clean water.

- Avoid contact with people suspected of having acute respiratory infections, maintain a safe distance (>1m).

- Wear a medical mask when going to crowded places: hospitals, supermarkets, parks, movie theaters, etc.

Remind children to cover their mouths when coughing.

- Maintain good personal hygiene and a clean living environment.

- The best and most effective proactive prevention is to have children vaccinated against influenza.

According to Health and Life