Children being treated for Influenza A at Hanoi Children’s Hospital
Hanoi Children’s Hospital is reporting a sharp rise in influenza A among children as the season changes and temperatures fall.
At the infectious diseases department, almost half of beds are now occupied by flu patients.
“In the past two to three weeks, flu cases, especially influenza A, have risen markedly. At times, the number of inpatients with flu has been five times higher than before. Of 70 inpatients on the ward, more than 30 currently have flu,” said Dr Nguyen Sy Duc of the infectious diseases department.
The outpatient clinic shows a similar trend. Among children presenting with fever, sneezing and a runny nose, about six or seven in 10 test positive for influenza A.
Duc said many patients arrive with high fever, sometimes 39 to 40C, that responds poorly to antipyretics, along with sneezing, runny nose and cough. Many come from households or school classes where others have similar symptoms.
The hospital has prepared additional wards so it can admit hundreds of flu patients if the situation worsens.
Other respiratory illnesses are also rising. At the respiratory department, 45 of 49 paediatric patients have respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection, including three severe cases.
RSV circulates in colder weather and can cause pneumonia and bronchiolitis in infants and young children, particularly newborns and those under two.
Doctors advise parents to keep children warm, avoid crowded places, wear masks, wash hands regularly, ensure proper nutrition and adequate sleep during the seasonal transition.
Full vaccination is important to reduce the risk of infection and severe disease, Duc said.
