Seasonal flu is an acute infectious disease manifested by fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, runny nose, sore throat, and cough. The cause of the disease is mainly caused by strains of influenza A (H3N2), influenza A (H1N1), influenza B and influenza C. Usually the disease progresses slightly and recovers within 2-7 days, but for children. , the elderly, people with chronic heart, lung disease, kidney disease, metabolic disease, anemia or immunodeficiency ..., the disease may worsen, be susceptible to complications and can lead to death .

Seasonal flu viruses circulate in most of the world and sometimes break out into pandemics, but rarely into large outbreaks. However, according to a statement dated January 26, 2018 by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (USCDC), in the last weeks of 2017 and the beginning of 2018, an outbreak of flu broke out at 49/50. state of the United States of America. From October 1, 2017 to January 20, 2018, there were 11,965 confirmed cases of flu and hospitalized. Of which, there were 37 deaths, of which 7 cases of child deaths were recorded in the 3rd week of 2018 alone.

Cases in the past years mainly concentrated in people over 65 years old (183.1 / 100,000 people), followed by 50-64 years (44.2 / 100,000 people) and children aged 0-4 (27 , 0 / 100,000 inhabitants). The USCDC believes that the seasonal flu situation in 2017-2018 will be as serious as the 2014-2015 outbreak, with an estimated 710,000 hospitalizations and over 43 million people with flu syndrome.

Out of 1,445 adults with severe symptoms, 71.8% had severe underlying diseases such as cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorder, obesity, and chronic lung disease. Of the 148 children with severe symptoms, 56.1% had severe underlying medical conditions such as bronchial asthma, neurological disorders, and obesity.

Analyzing by influenza virus strains, the rate of influenza A is 88.7%, influenza B is 10.8%, 0.2% is co-infected with influenza A, B, and 0.3% does not determine the category. Among the cases of influenza A, 86.4% were influenza A (H3N2) and 13.6% influenza A (H1N1). Thus, all cases are infected with seasonal influenza virus strains circulating in recent years. Test results on drug resistance showed that most strains of the virus were resistant to adamantanes, but still sensitive to drugs oseltamivir, zanamivir and peramivir.

The disease is highly contagious, through the respiratory tract, through saliva droplets or nasopharyngeal secretions caused by sneezing, coughing. Currently, US authorities are taking drastic measures to reduce the spread of seasonal flu in the community, including vaccination against seasonal flu and recommending people with symptoms. flu should actively monitor health at home to limit the spread to others; however discourages school closures.

Vietnam is a country circulating seasonal influenza virus strains and annually records about 2 million cases of influenza syndrome. According to the monitoring results of key national surveillance points, the seasonal influenza virus strains in our country also mainly include influenza A (H3N2), influenza A (H1N1) and influenza B. The virus strains have not yet been detected. Any new influenza virus or mutation that increases toxicity and drug resistance in influenza virus strains circulating in humans.

To proactively prevent seasonal flu, the Ministry of Health recommends that people implement well the following contents:

1. Ensure personal hygiene, cover mouth when sneezing, regularly wash hands with soap, daily clean nose and throat with salt water.

2. Keep body warm, eat enough nutrients to improve fitness.

3. Get vaccinated against seasonal flu.

4. Limit contact with flu patients or suspected cases when not needed.

5. When there are symptoms of cough, fever, runny nose, headache, or fatigue, it is necessary to immediately go to the medical facility for prompt examination and treatment.

National focal agency to implement International Medical Regulations, Department of Preventive Medicine - Ministry of Health

Source:

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/index.htm

https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2018/t0126-flu-update-activity.html

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