Regarding suspected food poisoning cases at Dang Thuy Tram Elementary School (Tan Thuan ward), according to information from the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health, as of 3 pm on April 28, Children's Hospital 2 had received 13 children for examination. Among them, 12 cases had to be hospitalized for treatment, and 1 case was monitored as an outpatient.
Currently, the condition of the children has stabilized and they are continuing to be monitored and received medical care. The hospital coordinates with functional agencies to continue monitoring and ensuring health safety for children.
From the above incident, doctors at Children's Hospital 2 recommend that parents and schools pay special attention to early recognition of signs of food poisoning in children. Common manifestations include digestive disorders such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, frequent diarrhea or bloating. In addition, children may have fever, fatigue, fussiness, loss of appetite or lethargy.
Notably, in some cases, dangerous anaphylactic signs may appear such as urticaria, swelling of the lips or face, wheezing, shortness of breath, dizziness. This is a condition that needs urgent treatment.
Experts recommend that when suspecting a child of food poisoning, it is necessary to immediately stop using suspected foods, and remember the time of eating, the type of food, and the people using it to support the diagnosis process.
Parents should not arbitrarily induce vomiting or use drugs such as antibiotics, diarrhea control drugs, anti-vomiting drugs without a doctor's prescription. Giving children soft drinks, carbonated drinks or applying unverified folk remedies can also make the situation more serious.
Children need to be taken to a medical facility immediately when they have severe signs such as lethargy, difficulty waking up, convulsions, rapid breathing or shortness of breath. In addition, symptoms such as frequent vomiting, inability to drink, continuous diarrhea accompanied by signs of dehydration (dry lips, little urination, sunken eyes), bloody stools, vomiting blood or severe abdominal pain are also dangerous warnings.
In particular, young children, especially infants or children with underlying illnesses being treated, need to be closely monitored and taken to the doctor early when there are abnormal signs.
Food poisoning in children can progress quickly and cause dangerous complications if not treated promptly. Therefore, early recognition of signs and taking children to medical facilities at the right time plays an important role in protecting children's health and lives.
