Unusual flu season sees jump in cases in Hanoi

According to Nguyen Thu Huong from Thanh Nhan Hospital, this represents an abnormal flu season due to cases spiking now instead of in the winter and spring.

Huong said that the number of people, especially children, who are seeking treatment for the seasonal flu virus at the hospital are on the rise. She added that the department typically receives 10 influenza A cases each day as opposed to a few patients as was the case before. Indeed, the majority of patients were hospitalized with a high fever, a sore throat, bronchitis, or even pneumonia and respiratory failure.

The Department of Pediatrics of National Hospital of Tropical Diseases has also seen the number of pediatric patients suffering from influenza flu type A this year rise to significantly higher levels compared to previous years.

According to health experts, the flu virus type A represents the most frequently mutated type and could potentially develop into dangerous new strains, with examples showing that some types of influenza A can lead to a pandemic.

Influenza A/H1N1 is a seasonal flu and can penetrate deeply into lung cells, causing pneumonia, multi-organ failure, and even death if not treated promptly.

They noted that some patients can recover after three to five days, although some cases get worse. Therefore, flu patients suffering from symptoms such as coughing, breathing difficulty, or chest pain that lasts for a few days without relief, must be swiftly examined and hospitalised.

The disease can spread quickly through direct contact with infected patients in crowded conditions. Due to this level of risk, experts have warned people to cover their mouths and noses when coughing and sneezing, as well as advising them to wash their hands thoroughly to prevent the virus from spreading.

People are also recommended to receive flu vaccinations to avoid infection.