讀後心得

The influenza epidemic is still spreading. The Taichung City Health Bureau reminds that there have been recent clusters of influenza and diarrhea in schools, with the main infection being type B influenza. Physician 施勝桓 points out that there is a possibility of a rebound in the epidemic after the long holiday, urging students to pay attention to personal hygiene and to stay home and rest if they have a fever. Statistics show that from October of last year to the present, there have been 147 cases of severe influenza in Taichung City, resulting in 32 deaths. Although the epidemic has slightly eased, the virus is still active, and the public should remain vigilant.

The flu epidemic is still present, and doctors point out that current clinical screening mainly focuses on influenza B. After a 4-day holiday, people are returning to work and school. The Taichung City Health Bureau stated that although the flu and norovirus outbreaks eased before the holiday, there were still three clusters of respiratory infections and one cluster of diarrhea reported on campus last week. Pediatricians mentioned that several students in classes have recently contracted the flu, and siblings at home have also fallen ill. Clinical observations indicate that influenza B is the most common, so they urge students returning to school to continue practicing good hand hygiene, students with respiratory symptoms should wear masks, and follow cough etiquette. If a student has a fever, they should take leave and rest at home.

According to the Taichung City Health Bureau, based on statistics from the Centers for Disease Control, since the flu season began in October last year until March 29 this year, there have been 147 cases of severe complications from the flu, with a total of 32 deaths. As of March 29, there are still 19 severe patients hospitalized for treatment. Additionally, data from week 13 (March 23 to 29) shows that the number of visits to emergency departments for influenza-like illnesses in Taichung City reached 17,445 and 1,128 respectively, while visits related to diarrhea were 21,644 and 1,727. During this period, the health bureau received reports of three outbreaks of flu on campuses and one outbreak of diarrhea. Fortunately, the affected students recovered after medical treatment and returned to school.

Pediatricians pointed out that influenza-like illnesses and norovirus outbreaks slightly eased before the Tomb-Sweeping Day holiday, but clusters still appeared in many schools or families. Recently, a pair of brothers sought medical attention due to the flu; the younger brother tested positive for influenza B on March 31 and received public-funded antiviral medication, while the older brother unfortunately also contracted the flu, tested positive for the same influenza B on April 1. Since public-funded antiviral treatments were revised to conditional coverage under the national health insurance starting April 1, the young students had to purchase it out of pocket. Their mother lamented, "The cost of one day’s difference is too high!" Furthermore, in a third-year junior high school class, five students have successively shown symptoms such as coughing, runny nose, low fever, and fatigue. The teacher requested students with cold symptoms to go to clinics for screening, and the results all tested positive for influenza B. Doctors emphasized that current clinical screenings show that influenza B cases have surpassed those of influenza A, and usually after long holidays, as people travel from south to north, there tends to be a rebound in the outbreak. They appeal that although the weather is warming, viral activity remains active, and it is essential for the public to strengthen personal hygiene measures to avoid infection. If one has a fever, they should ensure they do not attend classes and should stay home to rest.