According to Dr. Truong Huu Khanh, former Head of the Department of Infectious Diseases - Neurology, Children's Hospital 1 (HCMC), this year's flu season can affect more people because the influenza virus is mainly the H3N2 strain, while most years are usually H1N1.
MSc. Dr. Trinh Thi Hong Van - Department of Pediatrics, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City - said that in October 2025, the number of children hospitalized for influenza A at the hospital increased by nearly 30% compared to the previous month. The reason is that the rainy season creates conditions for the virus to spread, changes in weather make children's immune systems weaken, and at the same time, the school environment is also a place where children are susceptible to infection.
For example, baby H (3 years old) was hospitalized after a seizure and was diagnosed with influenza A. The patient was treated with antiviral drugs for the first 48 hours, combined with fever-reducing and warm compresses. After 3 days, the child's fever stopped and he was discharged from the hospital.
Doctor Hong Van informed that influenza A in children is an acute respiratory infection caused by the influenza A virus. The disease is easily spread through drops when the patient coughs, sneezes and spreads into the air, or when the child touches surfaces with viruses (door handles, toys...) and puts them in the eyes, nose, and mouth.
Common symptoms in children are high fever above 38 degrees Celsius, coughing or phlegm, nasal congestion, nasal congestion, sore throat, headache, chills, loss of appetite, diarrhea... If not treated promptly, the virus will attack deep into the lower respiratory tract, causing damage to the lungs or bronchi, leading to complications such as pneumonia, bronchitis, respiratory failure... At this time, children need oxygen support, CPAP.
To prevent the disease, Dr. Van emphasizes that the most effective way is to vaccinate children against influenza every year. At the same time, wash your hands regularly with soap and clean water or antibacterial solution, avoid touching your eyes, nose, mouth, wear a mask when in contact with a sick person or going to a crowded place when there is an epidemic.
In addition, keep the house airy and clean, give children enough food, rest and exercise appropriately to increase resistance.
When children have influenza A, parents need to take them to a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment, especially if the child is younger than 2 years old, has underlying diseases or signs of severe illness. Children should get enough rest, take fever-reducing medicine, rehydrate and electrolyte according to the doctor's instructions, eat soft, loose, and easily digestible foods.
Unusual signs should be closely monitored. If the child has a high fever and does not reduce it, has difficulty breathing, convulsions, lethargy, stopping feeding, eating... parents quickly took the child to the hospital.
