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Is it dangerous to catch a cold while on chemotherapy?
Is it dangerous to catch a cold while on chemotherapy?

People who are receiving chemotherapy are more likely to catch colds and flu because the treatments weaken their immune systems. This condition can lead to serious problems. Therefore, you need to be aware of the signs and symptoms of colds, flu and other infections.

What complications can a child with a cold lead to?
What complications can a child with a cold lead to?
During the transition period, respiratory diseases in children often increase, especially colds. In order for children to receive the best care when they have a cold, parents need to know how to properly care for their children at home, as well as know when to take their children to a medical facility.
When to take antibiotics for sinusitis
When to take antibiotics for sinusitis
Sinusitis is a common nasopharyngeal pathology, which causes many unpleasant symptoms and affects the quality of life of patients. In case of sinusitis confirmed diagnosis due to a bacterial agent, antibiotic therapy is necessary to improve symptoms and prevent dangerous complications.
Diagnosis and treatment of influenza H7N9

1. Diagnose

1.1. Specimens

Specimens for the diagnosis of avian influenza in individuals are nasal swabs, throat swabs, nasopharyngeal rinses from patients or from lung tissues of deceased patients. 

Specimens when diagnosing influenza in poultry can be poultry blood, feces, throat secretions, drooling fluid...or lung tissue, blood of dead birds.

1.2. Diagnostic method

There are many methods to diagnose avian influenza, which can use rapid diagnostic tests, virus isolation cultures, PCR tests to find viruses...

  • Virus isolation culture: Virus is isolated by infusion of treated specimens into the amniotic sac of 13-15 day old chicken embryos. Incubation for 3 days at 35oC, aspirate water from the amniotic cavity to find viruses by erythrocyte agglutination inhibition test.
  • RT-PCR (reverse transcriptasepolymerase chain reaction) assay to determine the RNA of influenza A/H7N9 virus with specific primer pairs [9]. This technique is very sensitive but requires a lot of media and chemicals.
  • Rapid diagnostic tests: to look for viral antigens in patient samples with sample antisera or for antibodies in patient or poultry blood with sample antigen sets.
  • Direct immunofluorescence method for determining the presence of virus in throat rinses of sick people or sick poultry.

2. Backup and treatment

In recent days, the whole world seems to be heating up by a threat that can break out at any time. In Vietnam so far, there have been no cases of infection with influenza A/H7N9 virus detected, so we must quickly take effective preventive measures and deal with the risk of epidemics occurring.

2.1. General backup

  • Prevent the use of poultry of unknown origin, limit eating and processing poultry.
  • Practice good personal behavior, wash your hands often with soap.
  • When detecting sick or dead poultry, it must promptly notify the local authorities and veterinary units.
  • Persons returning to countries from infected areas must apply preventive measures and report their health status to local health authorities.
  • Use Chloramin B and strong disinfectants to disinfect and disinfect the barn regularly in each household and in areas with avian influenza.
  • When you have flu symptoms such as cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, you need to go to a medical facility immediately for advice, examination and treatment.

2.2. Prophylaxis and specific treatment

Within the first 48 hours from the onset of symptoms of influenza infection, the use of TAMIFLU (active ingredient is oseltamivir phosphate) can be prescribed by a doctor, which is an antiviral and is only effective if prescribed at the right time. , very high efficiency. By inhibiting neuraminidase, TAMIFLU prevents the release of viral particles out of infected cells.

Things not to do

  1. Chickens are not slaughtered at home or at markets, but only in places controlled by veterinary authorities.
  2. Poultry products of unknown origin should not be purchased, but should be purchased at places of processing origin (supermarkets, large wholesale markets).
  3. Do not eat fresh chicken related dishes such as blood pudding, omelet...
  4. Absolutely do not eat dead chicken or duck.
  5. Poultry of unknown origin is not allowed to be transported or traded.