 A type A influenza patient in Thanh Nhan hospital (photo: VOV) |
Hospitals in Hanoi are receiving a rising number of type A influenza patients. This is unusual. Influenza rarely appears in the summer because hot weather makes it more difficult for influenza viruses to thrive. Influenza viruses usually do better in the winter and spring when temperatures are colder and the humidity is higher.
In recent weeks the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Hanoi has received more influenza patients than in previous years. About one fifth of all child patients have type A influenza.
Quang Ninh provincial hospital and Bai Chay general hospital are reporting as many as 30 type A influenza patients a day – 900 so far.
Nguyen Thi Anh Chi, a resident of Cao Thang ward, Ha Long city, said: “Before being hospitalized, I had a cough and high fever. I took medicine for the fever but my body temperature remained above 39 degrees C. I had to go to the emergency room, where I was diagnosed with type A influenza and had to be hospitalized for treatment.”
The Health Ministry’s Department of Preventive Medicine says type A influenza is highly contagious via breathing droplets of saliva or nasal mucus sneezed or coughed into the air.
The disease is usually mild and the patient recovers within 2-7 days. But for children, the elderly, and people with chronic diseases of the heart, lung, or kidney, metabolic diseases, anemia, or immunodeficiency, the disease may become more severe and prone to complications, and can lead to death.
It’s important to minimize contact with type A influenza patients or anyone suspected of being infected.
Doctor Hoang Thi Thanh Hoa of the Tropical Disease Department at Bai Chay hospital says that anyone with symptoms of cough, fever, runny nose, headache, and fatigue should go immediately to a medical facility for examination and treatment.
“People travel a lot without a mask, enabling the virus to spread faster. In addition to type A influenza, we are concerned about a resurgence of COVID-19. We advise people to wear a mask in public places to prevent respiratory diseases, especially type A influenza and COVID-19,” said doctor Hoa.
Doctors say type A influenza is present all year round, but it peaks in March, April, September, and October. It’s a highly contagious disease that anyone can catch. Doctors advise that people get a flu shot annually, eat properly to strengthen their immunity, observe good personal hygiene, and wear a mask in public.