Get the flu jab, doctor urges

Children falling sick of the seasonal flu may suffer from brain damage, a pediatrician warned, urging vaccination for all children and adolescents.

Mike Kwan Yat-wah, an honorary associate professor at the University of Hong Kong’s Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, said on a radio program on Sunday that vaccination is highly effective in preventing the majority of severe flu cases, as well as hospitalizations and fatalities.

He also warned against a recent rise in respiratory syncytial virus infections in children, with the risk of severe illness increasing if co-infection with the flu occur.

Kwan urged parents to monitor their children for symptoms while having flu.

“It’s important to closely monitor children for unusual symptoms after infection, such as changes in mental status or, most concerning, seizures, which are all signs of brain lesions,” he noted.

“[Parents] should watch for breathing difficulty or abnormal heart rate as well. These symptoms suggest that the child is seriously ill. Parents should not hesitate and should seek medical attention promptly.”

Kwan said some parents using self-purchased rapid tests have received negative flu results at home but positive results in hospital. He advised parents to use reputable test kits to avoid delays in treatment.

Severe flu and measles can be prevented through vaccination, he said, but misinformation can affect parents’ willingness to have their children get the jab.

Kwan urged parents to trust scientific evidence on vaccines while recommending that the health sector actively encourage immunization among patients.

(Cheng Wong)