Influenza Symptoms in Babies

Hong Kong is at the peak of influenza season, and kindergartens and child care centers have become the hardest hit areas by institutional outbreaks. However, the flu vaccine launched by the pharmaceutical company can only be vaccinated for babies as young as 6 months old. Parents can't help but ask: "How should babies aged over 6 months be protected to reduce the risk of influenza infection?" The author has recently received two cases of infants aged over 6 months seeking medical treatment. Baby A, only one and a half months old, developed flu symptoms and was confirmed to be infected by a rapid test. Another baby B, also only 8 weeks old, developed fever and cough. After the rapid test confirmed the diagnosis, he needed to be treated with Tamiflu immediately.

Once a newborn baby catches the flu, the chance of developing severe pneumonia is very high, with serious consequences and may be fatal. It is recommended that those with young children at home, both adults and children, should also receive influenza vaccination. In addition to reducing infection, another function is to prevent infection from being transmitted to infants and young children.

In fact, BB rarely goes out on the streets, so why is he still infected? To put it bluntly, 90% of the sources are family members and caregivers. Taking baby A as an example, it turned out that her nanny had been feeling unwell and had a fever for a long time, but she didn't say anything, which eventually led to the infection of the baby. Another baby B, her two brothers had symptoms of fever earlier, and it is estimated that they also infected her sister.

Because influenza is highly contagious, if only one person in the family is infected, other family members are also susceptible to the disease. Coupled with the low influenza vaccination rate in Hong Kong, small influenza outbreaks are prone to occur in schools or crowded places. In order to protect young children at home, it is best for caregivers and family members to get vaccinated to prevent themselves from being infected and then transmitting it to BB. If caregivers and family members develop flu symptoms, remember to wear a mask and avoid contact with young children.