Many cases become severe and require ventilators.
According to information from the Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases, the unit's Emergency Department is treating nearly 20 pneumonia patients, including severe cases requiring ventilators and continuous blood filtration. Pneumonia cases have been recorded in many different age groups: from the elderly, people with underlying diseases to immunocompromised patients and children...
Typically, Mr. T., 62 years old, Hanoi was hospitalized in a very serious condition, with severe difficulty breathing, purple lips, blurred consciousness, and an SPO2 index of only 47%, much lower than the normal level of over 92%. Previously, he had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) for more than 10 years, regularly using a corticosteroid-containing inhaler at home without following regular treatment.
About a week ago, Mr. T. came into contact with a relative who had the flu and quickly developed symptoms of high fever, increasingly severe shortness of breath, accompanied by cough and thick phlegm. Upon admission to the hospital, he was diagnosed with severe pneumonia, influenza A infection and Aspergillus infection (a serious consequence of prolonged corticosteroid abuse, severely weakening the immune system).
Upon admission, he was placed on a ventilator to maintain his breathing. Doctors also used broad-spectrum antibiotics to fight infection and antifungal drugs to kill the lung fungus. After a week of intensive treatment, his condition improved, but he remains closely monitored to prevent complications from recurring.
Case 2 is Mr. NVT, 48 years old, Thanh Hoa, hospitalized in critical condition after 3 days of high fever, increasing difficulty breathing and low blood pressure. He has a history of long-term alcohol abuse, leading to cirrhosis diagnosed 3 years ago but not treated regularly.
Initially, he was taken to a medical facility and diagnosed with right lobe pneumonia with septic shock. However, his condition did not improve and quickly worsened, so he was transferred to the Emergency Department of the Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases. Here, Mr. T. was placed on a ventilator, continuously filtered his blood to remove toxins, and used strong antibiotics combined with circulatory support drugs. After 5 days of treatment, his condition gradually improved.
Dr. Tran Van Bac - Deputy Head of the Emergency Department, National Hospital for Tropical Diseases, warned that pneumonia is not only a common disease but also especially dangerous in people with underlying diseases or immunodeficiency. If not treated promptly, the disease can lead to respiratory failure, sepsis and multiple organ damage.
Prevention and control of pneumonia
At hospitals in Ha Tinh, the number of cases of flu, pneumonia and respiratory diseases is increasing, most patients are still subjective, buying medicine to treat themselves at home.
Doctor Nguyen Huu Thach - Head of the Emergency Department - Pediatrics, Thach Ha Medical Center said that recently the number of hospitalized cases of influenza A and B, pneumonia, bronchitis caused by bacteria and viruses has increased, mainly in children, adults over 65 years old and people with weak immune systems, and people with underlying diseases.
At Ha Tinh General Hospital, the Pediatrics Department has 80 inpatients every day, of which 90% have pneumonia. At the Lung Hospital (Ha Tinh), there are 108 inpatients, of which 90% have respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and bronchitis. Many seriously ill patients need oxygen.
To prevent and control pneumonia, Dr. Tran Van Bac recommends that people, especially children under 5 years old, adults over 65 years old, people with underlying medical conditions, and immunodeficiency, should get a flu shot every year and a pneumococcal vaccine once in their life to reduce the risk of disease and complications.
People with underlying diseases need to adhere to regular treatment and avoid self-medication, especially corticosteroids, as they can weaken the immune system. In addition, people need to take measures to prevent infection such as keeping warm, wearing masks in crowded places, washing hands regularly, and limiting close contact with sick people.
“When experiencing symptoms such as high fever, prolonged cough or difficulty breathing, people should immediately go to a medical facility for timely examination and treatment. Disease prevention not only protects oneself but also reduces the burden on the health system,” Dr. Bac noted.
Regarding the cases of pneumonia caused by the virus that causes pneumonia in humans (Human Metapneumovirus - HMPV) in China, Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Dac Phu - Senior Advisor of the Vietnam Center for Public Health Emergency Response said that people should not be too worried because according to information from China.
According to experts, these are viruses that circulate every year. Vietnam continues to monitor news from WHO to have appropriate warnings and responses. To cope with the epidemic, people should not worry too much but also not be subjective.
In particular, in the current winter-spring season, the weather conditions are favorable for the spread of respiratory pathogens. People also need to pay attention to preventing diseases caused by respiratory syncytial virus RSV or HMPV virus like other respiratory diseases.
Respiratory diseases tend to increase in the winter and spring. However, up to now, the hospital has not recorded any unusual fluctuations in the number of cases or serious illnesses in the hospitals. Currently, there is no vaccine or specific treatment for HMPV. Therefore, people need to take preventive measures according to the instructions.
Associate Professor, Dr. Le Thi Hong Hanh - Director of Respiratory Center, National Children's Hospital
Source: https://kinhtedothi.vn/chu-quan-nhieu-benh-nhan-viem-phoi-nang-nhap-vien.html
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