A few months old had complications from the flu.
Patient D.B.A (residing in Tam Nong, Phu Tho) was transferred from the District Medical Center in a state of respiratory failure, severe pneumonia, positive for influenza A. Previously, the child had symptoms of high fever, wheezing cough, and phlegm for 4 days but home treatment was ineffective. When the child had severe difficulty breathing, the family took the child to the District Medical Center. Despite being supported by a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) ventilator, the symptoms did not improve, the child continued to worsen and had to be intubated and transferred to Phu Tho Provincial Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital.
Here, the child was diagnosed with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and severe pneumonia due to influenza A. Immediately, the child was treated intensively with a lung-protective ventilation strategy, mechanical ventilation combined with advanced support measures such as prone ventilation, anti-inflammation, and muscle relaxation.
According to Dr. Nguyen Vo Loc - Deputy Head of the Department of Intensive Care and Anti-Poisoning, prone ventilation is a new method, not yet popular in the treatment of severe ARDS in children, but it is clearly effective, helping to improve gas exchange, limit lung damage and support rapid recovery.
After 18 days of intensive treatment with mechanical ventilation, antibiotics, and respiratory physiotherapy, the patient recovered, his respiratory failure improved significantly, and he was discharged from the hospital in stable health.
Doctor Nguyen Vo Loc warned that ARDS is a dangerous complication of influenza A with a high mortality rate of 40-70%. This syndrome causes acute damage to the alveoli and pulmonary capillaries, causing rapid respiratory failure and can lead to multiple organ failure if not detected and treated promptly.
Recently, the number of hospitalizations due to influenza A at Phu Tho Province Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital has tended to increase, in which many children were hospitalized in critical condition with complications of pneumonia, myocarditis, cerebral edema, severe liver damage...
Children are susceptible to flu.
Young children, especially those under 5 years of age and especially those under 2 years of age, are at high risk of serious complications from the flu because their immune systems are not fully developed. At this age, a child's immune system is not fully developed, making it difficult for the body to fight off pathogens, including the flu virus.
Sensitive respiratory tract: Children's respiratory tract is very sensitive and vulnerable to influenza virus infection, leading to complications such as pneumonia and bronchitis.
High risk of complications: Children under 5 years old, especially under 2 years old, are susceptible to dangerous complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis, otitis media, myocarditis, and even death if not treated promptly.
Doctors recommend that parents should not be subjective when their children have the flu, and should take them to a specialized medical facility for timely examination.
The most effective way to prevent the flu is to get an annual flu vaccine for children 6 months and older. In addition, it is necessary to practice personal hygiene measures such as washing hands regularly, wearing masks when going out, and avoiding contact with sick people to reduce the risk of infection.
