Boy has seizures due to influenza A, experts warn what parents need to know

Medlatec Clinic No. 2 provided emergency care to patient NTL (6 years old, in Hanoi) who had a seizure due to high fever caused by influenza A.

Medlatec Clinic No. 2 provided emergency care to patient NTL (6 years old, in Hanoi) who had a seizure due to high fever caused by influenza A.

MSc. Tran Thi Kim Ngoc - Pediatrics, Medlatec Clinic No. 2 said that before coming to the clinic, baby L. had a high fever lasting 24 hours, then suddenly had convulsions, lost consciousness, purple lips, purple hands and feet. The family immediately took the child to the emergency room.

Illustration photo.

At Medlatec , through examination, it was discovered that the child had a high fever of 40 degrees, convulsions when having a high fever, purple lips, purple hands and feet, and lost consciousness for about 1 minute. This was treated with convulsion arrest and intravenous fever reduction. Paraclinical results showed that the child had bronchopneumonia due to influenza A.

Based on test results and imaging diagnosis, the doctor concluded that the child had bronchopneumonia due to influenza A complicated by high fever and convulsions.

From the case of baby L., Dr. Ngoc warned that high fever and convulsions can be a dangerous complication of influenza A, especially in young children. If not treated promptly, convulsions can cause many serious consequences such as brain damage: When a child has a prolonged convulsion, the brain can be deprived of oxygen, increasing the risk of affecting intellectual and neurological development.

Choking or suffocation: During a seizure, a child may choke on saliva, milk or food if not placed in the correct position, causing airway obstruction.

Risk of respiratory failure: Some cases of convulsions are accompanied by difficulty breathing, cyanosis, which can progress to respiratory failure if not treated promptly.

To avoid seizures when having a fever, parents need to pay attention to the following: Closely monitor the child's body temperature because when a child has influenza A, high fever is a common symptom.

Parents should measure temperature every hour. If fever is above 38.5°C, reduce fever with paracetamol in the correct dosage. Combine with wiping with a warm towel on the forehead, neck, armpits, and groin to help reduce fever.

Provide adequate water and nutrition: Give your child plenty of water, milk, oral rehydration solution (ORS) or fruit juice to avoid dehydration. Ensure an easily digestible, nutritious diet to boost immunity.

Isolation and disease prevention hygiene: Avoid contact with others to limit the spread of the virus. Clean your nose and throat with saline solution, keep your body warm. Wear a mask and wash your hands regularly to reduce the risk of infection.

In case a child has a seizure due to high fever, parents need to stay calm and follow these steps: Place the child on his side to avoid choking.

Use a spoon wrapped in a towel (or the corner of the towel) to put in the child's mouth to avoid biting the tongue. Loosen clothing, do not hold the child's body tightly. Reduce fever immediately with suppositories and hot compresses.

Never squeeze lemon or pour medicine into a child's mouth while they are having a seizure, as this can cause choking, suffocation, and death. Wrapping the child tightly or keeping them warm can increase their temperature and cause prolonged seizures.

Cooling with ice water makes the child shiver, which is not very effective. Using alcohol can easily burn the skin, and rubbing alcohol can easily cause poisoning. Do not use hard objects across the child's mouth, as this can break teeth, damage gums, and damage the child's oral mucosa.

Call an ambulance or take your child to a medical facility immediately if: The seizure lasts more than 5 minutes; The child does not regain consciousness after the seizure; The child turns blue or has difficulty breathing.

Regarding seasonal flu, according to information from the Ministry of Health, on February 5, the surveillance system recorded an outbreak of seasonal flu in Japan, with about 9.5 million cases of flu from September 2, 2024 to January 26, 2025.

The most affected areas are densely populated and tourist-rich areas such as Tokyo, Hokkaido, Osaka and Fukuoka. The outbreak is mainly caused by influenza A, but there is still a risk of influenza B outbreaks.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the incidence of influenza and acute respiratory infections (ARIs) increased in many countries in the Northern Hemisphere in the last weeks of 2024, exceeding the normal baseline. This situation was prevalent in countries in Europe, North America, Central America, West Africa, North Africa, East Africa and many countries in Asia.

The Ministry of Health has provided information regarding the seasonal flu outbreak in Japan as well as the epidemic situation in some areas around the world.

According to data released by the National Institute of Infectious Diseases on January 31, 2025, Japan recorded approximately 9.5 million cases of seasonal influenza from September 2, 2024 to January 26, 2025, with more than 317,000 cases recorded in the last week of 2024. The current outbreak of seasonal influenza in Japan is mainly caused by influenza A, but there is still a risk of an influenza B outbreak.

Previously, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that in many countries in the Northern Hemisphere, acute respiratory infections tend to increase at the end of the year due to agents such as seasonal influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and other common viruses such as hMPV and mycoplasma pneumoniae.

The incidence of influenza-like illness (ILI) or acute respiratory infections (ARI) in several Northern Hemisphere countries increased in the last weeks of 2024, exceeding the usual baseline, WHO said.

In addition, according to global influenza surveillance, seasonal influenza is also increasing in many European countries (with all subtypes of influenza viruses), North America (mainly influenza A), Central America and the Caribbean (mainly influenza A/H3N2), West Africa (mainly influenza B), North Africa (mainly influenza A/H3N2), East Africa (mainly influenza B), and many countries in Asia (mainly influenza A(H1N1)pdm09). This is consistent with the typical trend of influenza at the end of the year.

With current weather conditions favorable for the spread of respiratory pathogens, the Ministry of Health will continue to closely monitor the domestic and international epidemic situation to direct localities and units to deploy appropriate and timely prevention measures.

The Ministry of Health also affirmed that it will provide complete and accurate information so that people do not panic or worry, but still do not become subjective or negligent in the face of disease developments.

To effectively prevent seasonal flu, the Ministry of Health recommends that people take the following measures: Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, preferably with a cloth, handkerchief, disposable tissue, or sleeve to reduce the spread of respiratory secretions.

Wear a mask in crowded places and on public transport. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or hand sanitizer, especially after coughing or sneezing.

Do not spit in public places and limit unnecessary contact with people who have the flu or are suspected of having the disease. Get a seasonal flu vaccine to prevent the disease. Practice a healthy lifestyle, eat a nutritious diet to increase resistance, prevent influenza virus infection, and maintain physical exercise habits.

When experiencing symptoms of cough, fever, runny nose, headache, fatigue, people should not self-test or buy medicine to treat at home but should contact a medical facility for timely advice and treatment.

Source: https://baodautu.vn/be-trai-co-giat-vi-mac-cum-a-chuyen-gia-canh-bao-nhung-dieu-cha-me-can-biet-d245355.html