How to deal with the flu peak？ Besides oseltamivir, these drugs can also be used →

Original Shanghai Xuhui Shanghai Xuhui

The infection rate of influenza in adults is 5%-10%, and that in children is 20%-30%. How should children deal with the flu? The reporter interviewed Liu Yangyan, the attending pediatrician of the Eighth People’s Hospital of Shanghai, to teach us what influenza is, its symptoms, its countermeasures and preventive measures.

What is the flu?

Influenza is the abbreviation of influenza, which is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by influenza virus. Influenza viruses are divided into four types, of which type A and type B are the main ones that affect human beings, among which type A is more virulent. Influenza caused by influenza A and B viruses are also called influenza A and influenza B respectively. According to the information collected by CDC this year, influenza A (H1N1) and influenza B (H3N2) are prevalent.

Influenza occurs every year. Why is it particularly strong this year?

When a new subtype or an old subtype of influenza A virus reappears, people generally lack the corresponding immunity, which causes the virus to spread rapidly among people. Coupled with the impact of the epidemic in 2022, fewer people were vaccinated against influenza, resulting in an influenza outbreak this spring.

What is the difference in symptoms between children and adults?

Most adult influenza cases are common. Compared with adults, children suffer from influenza more quickly, and high fever is more common. At the highest time, their body temperature can reach 39℃-41℃, and their systemic symptoms are more serious, often accompanied by chills, chills, muscle aches, diarrhea, abdominal pain, etc. A few people are prone to pneumonia, myocarditis and septic shock.

Children, especially those under 5 years old, are high-risk groups of influenza, and they are more likely to suffer from severe and critical illness. In addition, children’s influenza is prone to acute laryngitis, otitis media, tracheitis, bronchitis and pneumonia, and the mortality rate is higher than that of adults.

Neonatal influenza is relatively rare, but it is not uncommon. After infection, there are often many complications, such as pneumonia. Other clinical manifestations may include refusing milk, drowsiness and shortness of breath. In addition, the probability of children’s influenza complicated with encephalopathy and encephalitis is higher than that of adults, mainly manifested as indifference, lethargy, slow response, convulsions, etc. Therefore, children’s influenza should pay attention to the symptoms of digestive tract and nervous system in addition to respiratory symptoms.

What should children do if they get the flu?

If the child has high fever, sore throat, general weakness and muscle pain, he may be targeted by the flu and need to see a doctor immediately. The hospital has a rapid flu antigen test. Once the flu is diagnosed or highly suspected, active antiviral treatment should be taken. Antiviral treatment is the best within 48 hours after symptoms appear, even if it exceeds 48 hours, antiviral drugs can also benefit. Therefore, for children, no matter how many days the flu symptoms appear, if the condition has not improved, antiviral drug treatment should be started as soon as possible after suspicion or diagnosis.

Oral oseltamivir is the first choice for the treatment of influenza in children at present. Infants under one year old, severe or critically ill children who are inconvenient to take oral drugs can also be treated with intravenous infusion of peramivir injection. Children should be given drugs according to their weight according to the instructions. Generally, the antiviral course of oseltamivir takes 5 days, and that of peramivir takes 1-5 days. The course of treatment for severe patients can be extended appropriately.

But don’t blindly use antiviral drugs, whether it’s the flu or the common cold, take oseltamivir. Before using oseltamivir, patients suspected of influenza should try to take respiratory tract samples for pathogen detection, which is beneficial to judge whether to take medicine according to the treatment plan, use according to the prevention plan or stop taking medicine according to the condition. Oseltamivir is not a "magic medicine" without side effects, which may cause a series of adverse reactions, mainly nausea, vomiting and other digestive tract symptoms, as well as skin changes (rash, erythema, toxic epidermal necrolysis, etc.) and mental symptoms (delirium, abnormal behavior).

In addition to antiviral drugs, Chinese patent medicine Xiaoer Chiqiao Qingre Granule and some traditional Chinese medicines for relieving cough and eliminating phlegm have also been selected as influenza guidelines in China.

Taking antiviral drugs does not mean entering the "safe". Parents should closely observe the general situation of their children. When the following changes occur, they should seek medical treatment in time and need hospitalization:

Persistent high fever for more than 3 days; Cough is aggravated, and the amount of sputum is obviously increased; Dyspnea or chest pain; Purple lips; Severe vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration; Mental changes such as unresponsiveness, lethargy and convulsions; The original underlying diseases are obviously aggravated.

How to prevent influenza in the high season?

There are three effective ways to prevent and control infectious diseases:

First, control the source of infection. If the school or family members have flu symptoms, they should be properly isolated, and the isolation can be lifted when the symptoms disappear for 48 hours or the test is negative.

Second, block the route of transmission. The most effective prevention methods in the high incidence period are wearing masks and washing hands frequently. We should also adhere to the "epidemic prevention three-piece suit": wear masks scientifically, keep social distance and pay attention to personal hygiene. "Five Protection Needs": Keep wearing masks, keep social distance, cover your cough and sneeze, wash your hands frequently, and try to open the windows.

Third, protect vulnerable groups. The most effective way to protect susceptible people is vaccination. Although vaccination will still infect people, vaccination can avoid a large-scale epidemic in the population, alleviate clinical symptoms and avoid serious diseases. In the past two weeks, if there are already infected people around, it is suggested that vaccination can be suspended. At this time, there may be a certain viral load and antibodies have been produced by themselves. The antibody produced by the vaccine is 2-4 weeks after vaccination, and it is best to vaccinate in autumn every year, which can prevent infection in winter and next spring.

In addition, we should work and rest regularly, ensure adequate sleep, eat healthily, adhere to moderate exercise and improve our immunity. Vitamin c can be supplemented in the near future to enhance the body’s resistance. Close contacts of influenza patients can be prevented by oral oseltamivir.

According to the data monitoring of major hospitals, the flu is at its peak and will come to an end at the end of March. Children who are not infected need active prevention. If children who have been infected need active treatment, pay attention to rest and take medicine according to the doctor’s advice. Parents should actively pay attention to the condition and avoid serious illness.

Original title: "How to deal with the flu peak? Besides oseltamivir, these drugs can also be used →

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