Warning of complicated seasonal flu
On the morning of February 3, Asian media was rampant before the news that famous actress Tu Hy Vien (Taiwanese, Chinese) suddenly passed away in Japan due to seasonal flu leading to pneumonia during her trip with her family.
According to data released on January 31 by the National Institute of Transfusion of Japan, from September 2, 2024 to January 26, Japan recorded about 9.5 million seasonal flu cases.
In Vietnam, the Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases (Hanoi) is treating 8 patients with severe flu. There are cases of septic shock, severe lung damage, requiring mechanical ventilation and requiring ECMO (the body's oxidative system through the pericardium). Severe patients all recorded underlying diseases such as cardiovascular disease, blood pressure, the elderly, and weakened immune muscles, especially chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
The above developments are the alert bells of people about the dangers of seasonal flu, thereby equipped with knowledge about the disease as well as effective preventive methods.
Seasonal flu is not simply an "ignorance" disease
Seasonal flu is an acute respiratory infection, caused by Influenza virus. In Vietnam, the seasonal flu is often circulating all year round, but tends to focus in winter and spring.
According to the US Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), seasonal flu is the cause of 9.3 million - 41 million cases, 100,000 - 510,000 hospitalizations and 4,900 - 51,000 deaths each year from 2010 to 2023.
The influenza virus has 4 main strains: A, B, C and D. Influenza A and B are common in humans, while influenza C causes mild illness and often has no symptoms. Influenza D mainly affects livestock and does not cause diseases in humans. Currently, in our country, the A influenza strain is popular.
Common symptoms of the flu include headaches, fevers, chills, coughs, sore throats, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, etc. Unspecific symptoms can make people confused with the common cold.
Dr. Ngo Chi Cuong - Deputy Director of Medlatec General Hospital; Head of the Infectious Diseases Department said: "Many people think that seasonal flu is a common urological disease, so they have a mentality of taking it lightly. Normally, light body, seasonal flu can be cured after 5-7 days. However, the disease can lead to severe complications of pneumonia, respiratory failure, myocarditis, multiple organ failure, or sepsis leading to death, especially in people with weak immune systems, underlying diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and pregnant women".
“The cassava has a particularly serious impact on people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease due to the flu virus directly affecting the lungs. Cases with lung damage in the past will be more likely to progress than healthy people,” the doctor noted.
Warning signs of dangerous flu that require hospitalization
Experts recommend that early detection and treatment of influenza is extremely important. When the flu is severe, slow treatment can cause the most serious and serious consequences leading to death. People need to be hospitalized immediately when the following manifestations appear:
→ Shortness of breath, quick breathing.
→ Purple lips, fingertips change color.
→ Apricots, lost consciousness.
→ Irregular hypothermia (under 360C).
→ Chest pain, low blood pressure.
→ Can't eat or drink, vomit a lot, lose water (salts, low eyes).
These signs may be a manifestation of severe pneumonia, respiratory failure, or multiple organ failure. These are complications that lead to death if not treated promptly.
Some effective seasonal flu prevention methods
1. An annual vaccination.
2. Wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds to remove bacteria and viruses.
3. Wearing a mask when coming to public places, gathering crowded.
4. Limit contact with people who are suffering from the flu, or suspect to have the flu, especially when they have symptoms such as coughs and runny nose.
5. Cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing to reduce the spread of respiratory secretions. Do not pluck out in public.
