Chinanews.com, Beijing, November 11 (Shao Meng) Autumn and winter are the seasons with a high incidence of respiratory tract infectious diseases. Recently, there has been a rapid increase in cases of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection and influenza in many places, and there have been long queues in fever clinics and pediatric outpatient and emergency departments in some hospitals. Related topics such as "mixed infection" and "Internet celebrity prescriptions" have also sparked widespread discussions on social media.
Has the peak of infections arrived? Can I self-medicate? What symptoms do I need to go to the hospital? Is this year's respiratory infections more serious than in previous years? How can it be effectively prevented? In response to the questions of public concern, a number of experts gave detailed answers in interviews.
Is the season of respiratory infections coming?
"Autumn and winter are the seasons with a high incidence of respiratory tract infectious diseases, and recently we have also found clinically that the number of patients with influenza and mycoplasma pneumonia is gradually increasing." Wang Guiqiang, director of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Peking University First Hospital, said.
He said that from the current situation, there are relatively many Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections, flu cases have increased, and the cases of new coronavirus infection have gradually decreased since the summer vacation, and now there are very few cases, but after a period of time, there may be small fluctuations.
Xu Baoping, deputy director of the National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases and director of the respiratory department of Beijing Children's Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University, said that after September, the hospital has received an increase in the number of patients infected with Mycoplasma pneumoniae, which is consistent with the previous epidemic trend. In addition to mycoplasma infection, influenza virus, adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, etc. have appeared one after another.
Wang Quan, director of the emergency department of Beijing Children's Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University, also pointed out that the number of outpatient and emergency visits in the hospital is still large, with respiratory infections being the majority.
Who is more susceptible to co-infection?
Wang Guiqiang pointed out that special attention should be paid to the elderly and people with underlying diseases, because whether it is influenza, new crown virus or mycoplasma, once it causes upper respiratory tract infection, it will destroy the immune barrier of the upper respiratory tract, and once there is a lower respiratory tract infection, pneumonia symptoms may be secondary to bacterial infection.
"The elderly and people with underlying diseases may have some lung diseases and bronchial diseases, which can induce bacterial infections after infection, and then aggravate the condition and lead to worsening of the condition." Wang Guiqiang said.
Data map. Photo by Shao Meng
He said that the elderly and people with underlying medical conditions are more likely to have mixed infections with multiple pathogens, so pathogen diagnosis is important. In addition, once you have symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection, especially pneumonia, you must seek medical attention in time.
"There are indeed cases of co-infection." Xu Baoping introduced that children should also strengthen protection to avoid cross-infection, and also avoid contact with sick patients, so as to reduce the possibility of continuous infection and mixed infection.
Is the "Internet celebrity prescription" reliable?
With the recent high incidence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection, "azithromycin + ibuprofen + mephenamine phemalamine" has also become a "three-piece set" of Internet celebrity medication circulating on social media.
In this regard, Wang Quan reminded that although the current proportion of mycoplasma pneumonia is large, there are still more viral infections in general, and it is not recommended that parents give their children medicine without authorization according to some "packages" learned from self-media and other channels. Because the child's body is small and many organs are not well developed, the treatment of some drugs needs to be combined with the child's own basic condition, and the doctor will evaluate and give safer practices or suggestions.
Wang Guiqiang said that early differential diagnosis is very important, and now the general clinic can test for influenza virus, new coronavirus, mycoplasma, etc., and after finding out the cause, targeted treatment can be carried out in time. Although a small number of cases of resistance occur, for most patients with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection, the effect of medication is very clear, and macrolide treatment is very effective, and early treatment is very critical.
What are the symptoms that require prompt medical attention?
Xu Baoping pointed out that most respiratory tract infections are viral infections, and there is no specific drug treatment for other viruses other than influenza virus, mainly symptomatic treatment.
What are the situations to be wary of? She reminded that if the fever lasts for a long time, it is generally observed for two to three days, and if the respiratory symptoms worsen, such as coughing getting worse, wheezing, breathing very fast, breathing labor, etc., indicating that the child may have lower respiratory tract symptoms, or the manifestation of pneumonia, the child should be taken to the hospital in time.
Wang Quan suggested that if the child persists in a high fever of more than 40°C, or persists in high fever for more than 3 days, he should go to the hospital in time. In addition, because the early manifestations of mycoplasma pneumonia are mainly irritating dry cough and high fever, when the child's cough is very severe and even affects the daily routine, it is necessary to go to the hospital as soon as possible.
"It also depends on the mental state of the child. For example, if you have a fever and your spirit is very poor, even if your body temperature goes down, you will need to go to the hospital as soon as possible. Wang Quan said.
For the elderly and people with underlying diseases, Wang Guiqiang suggested that if there are symptoms such as high fever, obvious cough, and yellow sputum, there may be a risk of secondary bacterial infection, and you must seek medical attention in time.
Data map. Photo by Shao Meng
Respiratory illness is getting worse this year?
With the reminders issued by the disease control in many places and the intensive media reports, there are remarks that "respiratory diseases seem to be more serious than before". Wang Guiqiang said that from the perspective of the reception, this trend has not been found. There are many pediatric fever outpatients in autumn and winter every year, and because there are few pathogen tests in the past, they are all regarded as colds, but now after testing, they will find mycoplasma infection, influenza virus, adenovirus, etc.
In his opinion, in addition to the above reasons, it is also because of the new crown epidemic, the public is more concerned about respiratory infectious diseases, which also reflects the public's attention to their own health. "This also reminds everyone that the prevention and control of respiratory infectious diseases in autumn and winter is still very important, but there is no need to panic, and it must be treated correctly and scientifically." Wang Guiqiang said.
Wang Quan also said that every year in autumn and winter is a high incidence period for children's respiratory diseases. However, this year, the overall number of patients appears to be slightly higher.
How can it be effectively prevented?
What worries Wang Guiqiang is that the public's awareness of protection against respiratory infections has decreased. He stressed that with the arrival of the flu season, especially after the beginning of winter, in a poorly ventilated environment, it is necessary to maintain the good hygiene habits developed during the new crown epidemic period, ventilate more, gather less, wash hands frequently, and wear masks when necessary.
Data map. Photo by Qu Honglun
Due to the recent high number of cases in schools, Xu Baoping suggested that if a child is sick, it is best to rest at home, which is not only conducive to early recovery, but also to protect other children. In addition, it is possible to open the windows frequently for ventilation in the school environment.
The experts interviewed called for the importance of active immunization in addition to personal protection. "In the presence of vaccines, active vaccination is recommended if the child has no contraindications. Caregivers of children are also advised to get an active flu vaccine. Wang Quan said. (ENDS)