Vietnam: Does Influenza A spread? What are the guidelines for prevention and treatment of Influenza A infection? Are educational institutions in Vietnam required to organize periodic health check-ups for students?

Does Influenza A spread? How is Influenza A transmitted?

Influenza A has the potential to spread. According to WHO, Influenza A is a dangerous infectious respiratory disease caused by common Influenza A strains such as H1N1, H3N2, H5N1, H7N9. It can spread from an infected person to a healthy person through droplets containing the Influenza A virus during communication, coughing, sneezing, runny nose, etc., or through contact with objects contaminated with the virus, and then touching the eyes, nose, or mouth.

The disease often breaks out when the weather turns cold or changes. The ability of the Influenza A virus to spread is very quick. Therefore, when there is an Influenza A warning, everyone needs to be cautious.

According to global health organizations, Influenza A is a disease with a rapid transmission rate, primarily through the respiratory route and direct contact with virus-contaminated surfaces.

(1) Respiratory Transmission

The Influenza A virus can easily transmit from an infected person to a healthy individual through droplets containing the virus when coughing, sneezing, runny nose, or spitting. Within a range of approximately 2 meters, the virus can linger in the air and quickly enter the body via the nose, mouth, or eyes, causing infection.

Crowded environments such as schools, hospitals, and public transport are places with the highest risk of infection due to enclosed spaces and high contact density.

(2) Indirect Contact Transmission

Besides the respiratory route, the Influenza A virus can also spread through virus-contaminated surfaces. When an infected person coughs, sneezes, or touches objects, the virus can survive on those surfaces for several hours. If a healthy person touches these items and then puts their hands on their eyes, nose, or mouth, the risk of infection increases significantly.

Research shows that the Influenza A virus can survive for several hours to many days on different surfaces:

- Up to 24 hours on hard surfaces like doorknobs, tables, chairs, and phones.

- Approximately 12 hours on tissues, fabric, or clothing.

- Several weeks if on currency paper or some other materials.

- About 23-59% of household items and medical facility equipment contain Influenza virus RNA, increasing community infection risk if not cleaned regularly.

Therefore, measures such as wearing masks, frequent handwashing, and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces should be implemented to limit infection risk.

What are the guidelines for prevention and treatment of Influenza A infection?

(1) Preventing Influenza A

To effectively prevent Influenza A for high-risk groups such as children and the elderly in particular, and all other populations in general, the Ministry of Health recommends citizens to take the following measures:

- Maintain personal hygiene carefully: wash hands frequently and wear masks when leaving the house. During an epidemic season, avoid crowded places. High-risk groups should avoid contact with patients diagnosed or suspected to have influenza.

- If symptoms suggestive of influenza such as fever, cough, runny nose, etc., appear, go to medical facilities for diagnosis and disease confirmation. This ensures preventive measures for those around them.

- Keep living and working areas clean with standard disinfectants.

- Boost the immune system through exercise, lifestyle policies, and reasonable nutrition.

- Get fully vaccinated against influenza according to schedule. Especially high-risk groups should be vaccinated before epidemic seasons.

(2) Treating Influenza A

- Principally, patients must be isolated immediately and notify local preventative healthcare agencies.

- For medication use, Influenza A patients should take antiviral drugs as soon as possible, including situations with direct contact with a patient and fever.

Common antiviral drugs include Oseltamivir (Tamiflu), Zanamivir. Use them as prescribed by doctors, with strict monitoring for any abnormal symptoms.

- Supportive treatment: Administer antipyretic paracetamol if body temperature exceeds 39°C (note: do not use antipyretic drugs from the salicylate group such as aspirin).

Additionally, maintain proper lifestyle policies, and balanced nutrition for speedy recovery. In cases of respiratory complications, contact healthcare facilities promptly for intervention.

Does Influenza A spread? What are the guidelines for prevention and treatment of Influenza A infection? (Image from the Internet)

In Vietnam, which authority is responsible for submitting reports on medical affairs in universities?

Under Clause 3, Article 8 of Circular 33/2021/TT-BYT:

Responsibilities for implementation

...

3. Departments of Health shall

a) organize, direct, popularize, guide, examine, and inspect medical affairs in education institutions under their management in accordance with this Circular;

b) organize specialized training for medical personnel in education institutions;

c) take charge and cooperate with Departments of Education and Training, Departments of Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs in preparing estimates, settling, and finalizing funding for medical affairs in education institutions as per the law;

d) submit reports on medical affairs in education institutions within their management to Minister of Health (Health Environment Management Agency) before December 20 of the reporting year using Form under Appendix No. 1 attached hereto.

...

5. Education institutions shall

...

h) submit reports on medical affairs in education institutions to Departments of Health before December 16 of the reporting year using form under Appendix No. 2 attached hereto and submit irregular reports at request of competent authorities.

...

Thus, according to these regulations, educational institutions will have the responsibility to submit reports on medical affairs to the Department of Health. The Department of Health is responsible for reports on medical affairs in universities within their management to the Minister of Health (Health Environment Management Agency).

Are educational institutions in Vietnam required to organize periodic health check-ups for students?

Taking care of learners’ health is specified in Article 3 of Circular 33/2021/TT-BYT as follows:

- Perform first aid and emergency medical care for learners as per the law and provide technical guidance regarding health check-up and treatment in case of any emergency during studying, working, and practicing at education institutions.

- Organize health check-up for learners upon enrolment and periodically at least once per school year. Monitor and examine health of learners, detect any risk to health and risks of disabilities to prepare, provide treatment, or transfer to hospitals of different levels for treatment as per the law.

- Implement hygiene measures for preventing and controlling epidemic in education institutions.

- Advise learners about issues relating to diseases, health risks, health improvement, reasonable nutrition, physical health and mental health development, and physical activities.

- Provide security measures on safety, occupational hygiene, prevention of accidents and injuries during learning and practicing processes.

Therefore, educational institutions in Vietnam are required to organize periodic health check-ups for students.