Beijing people wear masks to prevent Covid-19 on February 14, 2023
At a press conference of China’s National Health Commission (NHC) on January 5, doctors said that during the current peak season of respiratory infections in children, the main pathogens are still viruses and pneumonia caused by Mycoplasma, of which influenza virus is the most common.
Experts remind parents to keep their children home if they have the flu, according to Hoan Cau Times newspaper reported on the press conference.
Children with flu mainly show fever, accompanied by headaches, muscle pain and a feeling of general fatigue. In addition, respiratory symptoms such as cough, sore throat and runny nose may also appear, according to Dr. Wang Xuan of Beijing Children’s Hospital.
According to Dr. Vuong, in some children, gastrointestinal symptoms may be more pronounced than in adults, manifested by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and loss of appetite. Most children infected with the flu virus experience an acute illness, usually with fever lasting 2-3 days and full recovery within a week.
However, Dr. Vuong noted that some children may have a cough for a long time and some children may experience fatigue and weakness that last longer than usual.
Many Chinese hospitals are overloaded with pneumonia
According to CCTV, parents are advised that if their child is infected with the flu virus, the main approach is to treat with antiviral drugs and treat symptoms. There are antiviral medications specifically for children, which should be used as soon as possible according to your doctor’s instructions, especially within 48 hours of symptoms appearing.
Experts also emphasize that antibiotics are not effective against influenza viruses.
According to a report released by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention on January 2, from December 23-29, 2024, 99.6 percent of positive influenza virus samples were detected in the southern and northern provinces. China was identified as H1N1 flu.
Experts note that although the rate of severe influenza pneumonia is slightly higher than in previous years, the overall incidence remains relatively low. Patients are advised to begin treatment as soon as possible to ensure timely recovery.
Developments outside China
Meanwhile, media agencies reported that many countries are closely monitoring developments in China, in which they pay attention to human pneumonia caused by metapneumovirus.(HMPV).
According to the magazine Newsweek On January 5, in addition to mainland China, a number of HMPV infections were recorded in Hong Kong and Malaysia. Malaysia has not commented on the above information, but the Malaysian Ministry of Health said on January 4 that it is closely monitoring the expected increase in acute respiratory infections by the end of the year.
“The increase in acute respiratory infections at the end and beginning of the year is an expected phenomenon consistent with cases recorded in other countries, especially in winter like in China,” according to the sheet The Star citing a statement from the Malaysian Ministry of Health.
In Indonesia, the country’s health ministry reported not detecting any HMPV cases, and reminded people to be alert, calm and take preventive measures, according to Antara news agency.
In India, New Delhi health officials issued guidelines on January 5 to deal with potential health risks associated with HMPV and other respiratory diseases.
According to the recommendations, hospitals must report cases of influenza-like illness and severe acute respiratory infections. They must also be strict in isolating suspected cases and complying with standard safety measures.
In addition, hospitals must have enough medicine to treat mild cases. These measures were taken after reports of an outbreak of HMPV and an increase in respiratory diseases in China, according to the newspaper. The Times of India.
In Africa, according to p Times Live On January 5, the South African government said it was “monitoring the outbreak of a respiratory virus that emerged in China and is causing increasing concern among the public”.
