Test results at Tam Anh Hanoi General Hospital showed Hung positive for flu A. His two older sisters had also recently contracted the flu. Besides red blisters around his mouth, Hung also had deep ulcers in his throat, causing pain and difficulty eating. Doctor Le Thu Trang, from the Pediatrics department, diagnosed the boy with concurrent hand, foot, and mouth disease, complicated by otitis media (middle ear infection) due to a respiratory virus infection.

Doctor Trang explained that children with flu A have reduced immunity, making them susceptible to bacterial superinfections, which can lead to severe complications such as pneumonia, bronchiolitis, respiratory failure, encephalitis, and meningitis. The flu virus can cause nasal tissue inflammation, increasing in number and moving into the middle ear via the Eustachian tube. The Eustachian tube connects the middle ear and the nose, regulating pressure and draining fluid. However, in young children, the Eustachian tube is shorter and more horizontal than in adults, allowing viruses to easily enter the middle ear. Children's immune systems are still developing and not yet fully mature, resulting in a weaker ability to fight off pathogens. Consequently, the risk of otitis media caused by viruses spreading from the nose and throat is higher, most common in children aged 6-36 months.

The doctor prescribed antiviral medication and antibiotics for Hung, combined with supportive measures like fever reduction, nebulization, oral hygiene, nasal and throat rinsing, and nutritional supplements to boost his immune system. After two days of treatment, the boy's fever subsided, his cough decreased, his health stabilized, and he was discharged.

The doctor examines Hung before his discharge. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital

According to Doctor Trang, over the past two weeks, Tam Anh Hospital has admitted over 200 pediatric patients daily for respiratory examinations, an increase of more than 30% compared to the same period last year. Many of these children have co-infections of two or three diseases, such as seasonal flu, hand, foot, and mouth disease, rotavirus diarrhea, and dengue fever. The reasons for this surge may include changes in humidity and significant day-night temperature differences, which allow viruses and bacteria to survive and multiply more easily. Reduced sun exposure during colder seasons also decreases the body's synthesis of vitamin D, a crucial factor in boosting immunity.

In young children, flu A presents with diverse symptoms, including fever above 38 degrees C, dry or productive cough, runny nose, nasal congestion, sore throat, headache, chills, loss of appetite, and digestive disorders.

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is characterized by symptoms such as persistent fever (mild or high) and skin lesions: red rashes and blisters in specific areas like the throat, around the mouth, palms of the hands, and soles of the feet. However, some children may only develop mouth ulcers or small red rashes on the buttocks or groin, making diagnosis difficult.

Doctor Trang advises parents to closely monitor their child's health during illness. Children with prolonged high fever, abnormal breathing, persistent fussiness, minimal sleep or lethargy, frequent startling, trembling limbs, or seizures should be taken to the hospital immediately. During care, parents should wear masks, wash hands with soap before and after contact with the child, and sanitize clothes, diapers, toys, personal items, doorknobs, and floors.

Hang Tran