讀後心得

The flu epidemic is still present, and doctors indicate that there have been many cases of type B influenza recently. After the long holiday, the Taichung City Health Bureau noted that although the epidemic has somewhat eased, there are still several clustered cases of respiratory infections and diarrhea. Pediatricians remind that when students return to school, they should wash their hands frequently, wear masks when showing respiratory symptoms, and rest at home if they have a fever. Currently, Taichung City has reported 147 cases of severe flu and 32 deaths since October of last year. Although the epidemic has decreased, due to the movement of people after the holiday, vigilance must still be heightened, and protective measures should be in place.

The flu epidemic has not yet subsided, and doctors point out that the current clinical screenings are mainly for type B influenza.

After the four-day holiday, the public has resumed work and school. The Taichung City Health Bureau stated that although the flu and norovirus outbreaks had eased before the long weekend, there were still three cases of respiratory clusters and one case of diarrhea clusters in schools last week. Pediatricians noted that several students in the same class have been infected with the flu, and family members have consecutively contracted the virus. Clinical observations show that type B influenza is predominant. They urge students returning to school to strengthen handwashing, wear masks when experiencing respiratory symptoms, follow cough etiquette, and take sick leave to rest at home if they have a fever.

The Taichung City Health Bureau reported that according to statistics from the CDC, since the flu season began last October until March 29 this year, there have been 147 cases of severe flu complications in Taichung City, with a total of 32 deaths. As of March 29, there are still 19 severe patients hospitalized for treatment. During the 13th week of this year (March 23 to 29), the number of outpatient and emergency visits for influenza-like illnesses in Taichung City reached 17,445 and 1,128, respectively, while the number of outpatient and emergency visits for diarrhea was 21,644 and 1,727, respectively. During this period, the health bureau also received reports of three school flu clusters and one diarrhea cluster. Fortunately, students who showed symptoms have recovered after receiving medical treatment and have returned to school for classes.

Pediatricians stated that the outbreaks of influenza-like illnesses and norovirus slightly eased before the Tomb-Sweeping Day holiday, but there are still many clusters of infections occurring in schools and families. Recently, a pair of brothers sought treatment for influenza, and the younger brother tested positive for type B influenza on March 31 and began receiving publicly funded antiviral medication. Unexpectedly, the older brother was also infected on April 1, and tests revealed that he also had type B influenza. However, starting April 1, publicly funded antiviral medications have been changed to conditional coverage under health insurance, and young students can only purchase them out of pocket. The mother couldn't help but exclaim, “The cost of a day’s difference is just too high!” Additionally, in a class of ninth-grade students, five students successively exhibited symptoms of cough, runny nose, low fever, and fatigue. The teacher requested students with cold symptoms to go to the clinic for screening, and the tests all came back positive for type B influenza.

Doctors emphasize that the current clinical screenings for type B influenza have surpassed those for type A influenza. After the long holiday, due to the back-and-forth travel of the public, the epidemic may rebound. They urge that despite the warming weather, the virus remains active, and the public should strengthen personal hygiene protection to avoid infection. Anyone with a fever should take sick leave immediately and stay home to rest properly.