The dangers of seasonal flu and how to protect your health during peak season

In the context of the complicated development of seasonal flu with increasing number of cases, E Hospital recommends that people proactively take preventive measures to protect the health of themselves, their families and the community.

In the context of the complicated development of seasonal flu with increasing number of cases, E Hospital recommends that people proactively take preventive measures to protect the health of themselves, their families and the community.

Important solutions include getting a flu vaccine, maintaining personal hygiene, and timely health monitoring, which help reduce the risk of infection and dangerous complications.

Early signs of seasonal flu symptoms.

One typical case is patient NTT (female, 73 years old, Hanoi), hospitalized with symptoms of prolonged high fever, cough with phlegm, sore throat and fatigue.

Previously, the patient had bought medicine without going to the doctor. When his condition worsened, he went to E Hospital and was diagnosed with influenza A infection. At the hospital, the patient was treated with antibiotics, anti-influenza virus combined with supportive measures such as cough suppression, fever reduction and electrolyte replacement.

Not only the elderly or those with underlying diseases, influenza can also cause dangerous complications in healthy young people. For example, patient NNP (female, 30 years old, Hanoi) had a high fever, headache, cough with phlegm, runny nose and body aches before being hospitalized. After testing positive for influenza at home, the patient took Tamiflu for two days.

However, the condition did not improve, forcing the patient to be hospitalized. At Hospital E, the patient was diagnosed with influenza B superinfection and treated similarly to the NTT patient.

According to MSc. Dr. Dinh Thi Bich Thuc, Department of Tropical Diseases, since January 2025, the Department of Tropical Diseases has received about 250 cases of various types of flu.

After the Lunar New Year 2025, the number of patients coming for examination and treatment tends to increase, averaging about 10 patients per day. There were days when doctors examined nearly 40 patients, and more than half of them had the flu.

In particular, not only the elderly, children or people with underlying diseases, but even healthy young people are at risk of getting the flu and experiencing complications if they are subjective.

Seasonal influenza is an acute respiratory infection caused by influenza virus, transmitted directly through droplets from an infected person when talking, coughing, or sneezing.

Although many cases of flu can recover on their own, if not treated promptly, the disease can progress and cause dangerous complications such as pneumonia, respiratory failure, bacterial superinfection, and even be life-threatening in severe cases.

According to the Ministry of Health, from the end of 2024 to Lunar New Year 2025, the number of flu cases tends to increase, but there has been no sudden change compared to previous years.

Common strains of influenza viruses today include influenza A/H3N2, A/H1N1 and influenza B. Winter and spring weather with high humidity creates favorable conditions for the virus to develop and spread, along with increased demand for travel, trade and festival activities, increasing the risk of disease outbreaks.

Doctors warn that people at high risk of complications from seasonal flu include: pregnant women, children under 5 years old, people over 65 years old, people with chronic diseases such as HIV/AIDS, asthma, heart disease, lung disease and diabetes, as well as health care workers.

Seasonal flu precautions are recommended, such as covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, preferably with a handkerchief or disposable tissue.

Wear a mask when in crowded places or on public transport. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or hand sanitizer, especially after coughing or sneezing. Do not spit in public. Avoid contact with people who have or suspect they have the flu.

Get vaccinated against seasonal flu. Maintain a healthy lifestyle, eat a nutritious diet, and increase physical activity to improve your health.

When experiencing symptoms of cough, fever, runny nose, headache, fatigue, people should not arbitrarily test or buy medicine to treat at home but should contact the nearest medical facility or go to E Hospital for timely advice and treatment.

Source: https://baodautu.vn/moi-nguy-tu-cum-mua-va-cach-bao-ve-suc-khoe-trong-giai-doan-cao-diem-d247180.html