Ministry of Health recommends 5 measures to prevent seasonal flu

November 1, 2022 16:11

According to the Department of Preventive Medicine, Ministry of Health, Vietnam still records 600,000 - 1,000,000 cases of seasonal flu every year. The number of cases is recorded year-round and tends to increase during the transition from summer to fall and winter to spring.

Chú thích ảnh — *Nurses take care of patients being treated for influenza A at Thanh Nhan hospital*

It is currently the time of changing seasons, favorable for respiratory pathogens to develop, therefore, many people suffer from respiratory infections, especially seasonal flu (including influenza A and influenza B).

Symptoms of seasonal flu are difficult to distinguish from other respiratory diseases. Diagnosis and treatment must comply with the instructions of health authorities. To proactively prevent and fight seasonal flu, protect the health of yourself, your family and the community, the Ministry of Health recommends:

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

Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, preferably with a tissue or handkerchief or disposable tissue or your sleeve to reduce the spread of respiratory secretions.

Wear a mask, wash your hands with soap and clean water or hand sanitizer (especially after coughing or sneezing). Do not spit in public places.

Avoid unnecessary contact with people with flu or suspected cases.

Practice a healthy lifestyle, increase physical activity, improve health.

According to medical experts, seasonal flu has 4 types: A, B, C, D. Influenza B is the virus that usually causes respiratory infections. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, studies have found that influenza B occurs in about 40% of cases, because influenza A accounts for 60% of seasonal flu cases, and influenza C and D are very rare.

Similar to influenza A, common symptoms of influenza B include: fever, sore throat, dry cough, headache, body aches, joint pain, fatigue and feeling exhausted. Children with influenza may have gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting and diarrhea). Some flu symptoms may be similar to a cold and most children will recover in 1-2 weeks, however cough and fatigue may last longer than 2 weeks.

According to Tin Tuc newspaper