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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (March 21) investigating two cases of severe paediatric influenza infection, and again urged the public, particularly young children, to get vaccinated promptly and observe strict hand, personal and environmental hygiene amid the winter influenza season. Children, the elderly and those with chronic diseases should promptly seek medical advice if influenza-like symptoms develop.
The first case involves a 23-month-old boy with good past health who has developed fever, cough, runny nose and decreased appetite since March 15. He was admitted to Caritas Medical Centre on March 17 and was subsequently transferred to the Special Care Unit for further management. He is now in a stable condition.
His nasopharyngeal aspirate tested positive for influenza A virus at Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH). His clinical diagnoses are pneumonia and myocarditis.
Initial investigations revealed that the patient had no travel history during the incubation period. His father recently suffered from upper respiratory tract infection symptoms and had recovered, while his mother remained asymptomatic.
The second case is a 13-year-old boy with good past health. He presented with cough and dizziness on March 11 and developed fever, runny nose and syncope on March 16. He was then admitted to Tseung Kwan O Hospital on the same day and was subsequently transferred to Paediatric Intensive Care Unit of PMH for further management. He is now in a stable condition and was today transferred to general ward.
His respiratory specimens tested positive for influenza B virus upon laboratory testing by the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch. His clinical diagnosis is influenza B infection complicated with sepsis.
Initial enquiries revealed that he had no travel history during the incubation period and his family contacts have been asymptomatic all along.
The first case involves a 23-month-old boy with good past health who has developed fever, cough, runny nose and decreased appetite since March 15. He was admitted to Caritas Medical Centre on March 17 and was subsequently transferred to the Special Care Unit for further management. He is now in a stable condition.
His nasopharyngeal aspirate tested positive for influenza A virus at Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH). His clinical diagnoses are pneumonia and myocarditis.
Initial investigations revealed that the patient had no travel history during the incubation period. His father recently suffered from upper respiratory tract infection symptoms and had recovered, while his mother remained asymptomatic.
The second case is a 13-year-old boy with good past health. He presented with cough and dizziness on March 11 and developed fever, runny nose and syncope on March 16. He was then admitted to Tseung Kwan O Hospital on the same day and was subsequently transferred to Paediatric Intensive Care Unit of PMH for further management. He is now in a stable condition and was today transferred to general ward.
His respiratory specimens tested positive for influenza B virus upon laboratory testing by the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch. His clinical diagnosis is influenza B infection complicated with sepsis.
Initial enquiries revealed that he had no travel history during the incubation period and his family contacts have been asymptomatic all along.