One in 10 children with respiratory infection may have influenza
Pushpa Narayan | TNN | Mar 13, 2019, 07:25 IST
Representative imageCHENNAI: At least one in 10 children brought to hospitals with acute respiratory infections in the last two years has tested positive for influenza virus, a study by Dr ALM Post Graduate, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences of University of Madras revealed.
The study published in the scientific medical journal Indian Paediatrics encourages healthy lifestyle and hygienic practices, including frequent hand wash to counter the virus. Doctors also recommend annual flu vaccination during summer vacations as the new set of vaccines for 2019 are expected in May.
Scientists enrolled 267 children, between 1.5 months and 16 years, visiting the outpatient department of various hospitals and showing symptoms such as cough, fever, sore throat, nose block, nasal congestion, headache, muscle pain and wheezing, between April 2016 and March 2018, peaking in January and August. Children with chronic infections were not part of the study. Nasal swabs were taken for tests. The tests showed that among those tested positive, 22 (8.2%) were positive for influence A and 6 (2.3%) for influenza B.
Although the study limited the samples to children with respiratory infection and not influenza-like-illness, scientists felt that influenza virus is an important cause of acute respiratory infections (ARI) among children.
“Large population-based studies using appropriate molecular methods are required to determine the prevalence of influenza viruses in children with ARI from different parts of India so that preventive strategies can be prioritized,” the study’s corresponding author Thangam Menon said.
In developing countries, at least 3 out of 10 childhood deaths are attributed to acute respiratory infections. “Not all respiratory infections kill,” says paediatric intensivist Dr Bala Ramachandran of Kanchi Kamakoti Childs Trust Hospital. “It depends on various factors such as type of virus, the load and the child’s health condition. Sometimes, we have seen healthy children develop severe complications leading to death. The flu vaccine is used in several countries. It offers better immunity,” he said.
The vaccine, however, is not a part of the country’s immunization schedule. Institute of Child Health director Dr AT Arasar Seeralar said not all children receive vaccination because most influenza virus are self-limiting. “This is an annual vaccine and not everyone can afford it. The chance of getting into complications with influenza in healthy children is too small to call for a mass vaccination,” he said. The Union health ministry has licensed the sale of vaccine, but there are no recommendations on who should use it. “At government hospitals, we do give it to children with chronic ailments,” he added. However, doctors’ bodies like the Indian Association of Peadiatrics recommend the vaccine be made mandatory. “It has been used in several developed countries. Although it doesn’t offer 100% protection, it reduces morbidity,” said senior paediatrician Dr Rama Chandramohan.
The study published in the scientific medical journal Indian Paediatrics encourages healthy lifestyle and hygienic practices, including frequent hand wash to counter the virus. Doctors also recommend annual flu vaccination during summer vacations as the new set of vaccines for 2019 are expected in May.
Scientists enrolled 267 children, between 1.5 months and 16 years, visiting the outpatient department of various hospitals and showing symptoms such as cough, fever, sore throat, nose block, nasal congestion, headache, muscle pain and wheezing, between April 2016 and March 2018, peaking in January and August. Children with chronic infections were not part of the study. Nasal swabs were taken for tests. The tests showed that among those tested positive, 22 (8.2%) were positive for influence A and 6 (2.3%) for influenza B.
Although the study limited the samples to children with respiratory infection and not influenza-like-illness, scientists felt that influenza virus is an important cause of acute respiratory infections (ARI) among children.
“Large population-based studies using appropriate molecular methods are required to determine the prevalence of influenza viruses in children with ARI from different parts of India so that preventive strategies can be prioritized,” the study’s corresponding author Thangam Menon said.
In developing countries, at least 3 out of 10 childhood deaths are attributed to acute respiratory infections. “Not all respiratory infections kill,” says paediatric intensivist Dr Bala Ramachandran of Kanchi Kamakoti Childs Trust Hospital. “It depends on various factors such as type of virus, the load and the child’s health condition. Sometimes, we have seen healthy children develop severe complications leading to death. The flu vaccine is used in several countries. It offers better immunity,” he said.
The vaccine, however, is not a part of the country’s immunization schedule. Institute of Child Health director Dr AT Arasar Seeralar said not all children receive vaccination because most influenza virus are self-limiting. “This is an annual vaccine and not everyone can afford it. The chance of getting into complications with influenza in healthy children is too small to call for a mass vaccination,” he said. The Union health ministry has licensed the sale of vaccine, but there are no recommendations on who should use it. “At government hospitals, we do give it to children with chronic ailments,” he added. However, doctors’ bodies like the Indian Association of Peadiatrics recommend the vaccine be made mandatory. “It has been used in several developed countries. Although it doesn’t offer 100% protection, it reduces morbidity,” said senior paediatrician Dr Rama Chandramohan.
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