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H3N2 influenza A is coming! Doctors issue urgent warning.
- 2025-12-01 07:15
- Source: Hefei Evening News
- Authors: Tang Meng, Gao Yong, Intern Zhang Xinyue
H3N2 influenza A is coming! Doctors issue urgent warning.
Influenza is preventable, controllable, and treatable; early identification and timely response are key.
Recently, the Anhui Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention issued a tiered influenza warning for the province, indicating that the number of influenza cases is significantly higher than during the non-epidemic season, and the influenza epidemic is at a high intensity. On November 28, a reporter visited the pediatrics department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University and found a significant increase in the number of children with influenza recently, with one campus seeing over 300 emergency pediatric visits in a single day. Doctors warned that this wave of influenza is mainly caused by the H3N2 influenza A virus, and some children may develop serious complications.
The number of patients has surged.
“Recently, our pediatric clinic has been experiencing a surge in cases. We have three campuses: Jixi Road, High-tech Zone, and South District. Previously, each campus would see about 100 emergency pediatric patients per day. However, since November 22, the number of patients at two campuses has increased to more than 300, and we have also seen some children with more serious conditions.”
In an interview, Zhu Yulin, deputy chief physician of the Department of Pediatrics at the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, reminded parents: "Most children with the H3N2 influenza outbreak this year have mild symptoms, but some severe cases have indeed been observed in clinical practice. For example, some children may experience obvious shortness of breath, wheezing, respiratory failure, severe vomiting, headache, or even necrotizing encephalitis."
Like a "storm"
Faced with the onslaught of influenza, many parents are inevitably confused: how to distinguish between the common cold and the flu?
Regarding this question, Zhu Yulin gave a simple analogy: "A common cold is like a light drizzle, with mild symptoms, such as sneezing and a runny nose. But the flu is like a storm." She explained in detail that children with the flu will suddenly develop a high fever, with body temperature even soaring to 39°C or 40°C, accompanied by poor spirits, poor appetite, and muscle aches all over their body.
Zhu Yulin emphasized that the symptoms of influenza vary among children of different ages, and parents need to be able to identify them accurately. Specifically, infants under 3 years old may not have a fever or only a low-grade fever, but may exhibit symptoms such as incessant crying, refusal to eat, vomiting, or diarrhea. "We previously treated a child who was just over 1 year old, who refused to drink milk and was lethargic, but there was a family member with the flu. After checking, we found that it was indeed the flu."
For preschool children aged 3 to 6, high fever may be quite noticeable, and they will show a significant decrease in activity levels. "Simply put, the child is usually very active, but now they don't want to move." In addition, children over 6 years old have symptoms similar to adults. In addition to high fever, muscle aches, and headaches, they may also experience irritability, rapid breathing, and worsening vomiting and diarrhea. "Some children may also experience severe headaches and convulsions. These situations require immediate medical attention."
What should I do if I get infected?
Although influenza is fierce, it is preventable, controllable, and treatable; early identification and timely response are key. What "danger signs" in children indicate a potentially serious condition requiring immediate medical attention without delay? In the interview, Zhu Yulin highlighted these key points for parents.
If a child exhibits any of the following symptoms, seek immediate medical attention: 1. A persistent high fever lasting more than 3 days, or a recurring fever within 4 hours after it has subsided, with a temperature >39°C accompanied by chills; 2. Extremely poor mental state: lethargy that is difficult to wake, irritability and crying that cannot be soothed, seizures, or confusion; 3. Abnormal breathing: rapid breathing, wheezing, nasal flaring, or cyanosis of the lips or face; 4. Dehydration symptoms: persistent vomiting and diarrhea, complete refusal to eat or drink, no urine output for 4-6 hours, or decreased skin turgor; 5. Other abnormalities: rash, severe headache, chest pain, or difficulty breathing.
"Before coming to the hospital, parents need to pay attention to a few things," she reminded. First, bring the child's previous medical records and record in detail the symptoms, medications, and temperature changes from the onset of illness to the time of medical attention. During the journey to the hospital, both the child and parents should wear masks at all times and try to choose a private car or taxi to avoid using public transportation.
"Upon arrival at the hospital, parents should promptly inform the doctor whether the child has had any contact with influenza," Director Zhu added. "For example, telling the doctor that a classmate in the child's class has been diagnosed with H1N1 influenza can help us conduct relevant tests in a timely manner, identify the cause of the illness as early as possible, and initiate antiviral treatment, which is crucial for the child's recovery."
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