Coughing and phlegm in the throat after tuberculosis treatment, which department should I go to?

Can a child get a CT scan once? My 5-year-old child suddenly had a severe headache and vomited a lot at night 2 months ago. I took him to the hospital and the doctor ordered a CT scan. I asked if it was okay, the doctor said it wouldn't have much effect. When I got home, I found out that a CT scan can cause cancer in children. Is this true? Please advise. Thank you, doctor.

Báo Đồng Nai•31/07/2025

(Mr. Tan Hoai, residing in Phu Lam commune)

Doctor replied:

Hello Mr. Hoai!

First of all, it is necessary for you to take your child to see a doctor and have a CT scan when he has symptoms of severe headache and sudden vomiting at night, because these are signs that need to rule out acute causes in the brain such as tumors, bleeding or increased intracranial pressure.

Regarding your question, CT scans use X-rays, so it is true that a certain amount of radiation enters the body. However, the dose from a head CT scan is very low and the risk of cancer is almost negligible. According to research, the risk of cancer only increases slightly when children are exposed to CT scans many times, for a long time, or are scanned in many highly sensitive areas of the body. On the contrary, if for clear medical reasons, CT scans help diagnose and treat promptly, the benefits will far outweigh the risks. Therefore, you do not need to worry too much!

Wish you good health!

Specialist Doctor 2 Nguyen Van Suu,

Deputy Director of Professional Affairs, Head of Pediatrics Department, Au Co Hospital