Our reporter Shi Jiani

  Recently, Influenza A is still prevalent. How is it different from the common cold? How should citizens prevent it?

In this regard, Zheng Yaxu and Jiang Chenyan, deputy chief physicians of the Shanghai Center for Disease Control and Prevention, answered one by one.

  flu with high fever

  Common cold generally refers to upper respiratory tract infection, commonly known as "cold", which can be caused by a variety of pathogens, including rhinovirus, coronavirus, influenza virus, parainfluenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus, ECHO virus, Coxsackie virus, pneumonia Mycoplasma, Streptococcus pneumoniae, etc.

  Common cold above respiratory symptoms mainly.

Symptoms such as sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose, and throat discomfort often occur, and sometimes hearing loss, tearing, dull taste, poor breathing, cough, and a small amount of sputum may occur.

Generally, there is no fever and systemic symptoms, or only low-grade fever.

In severe cases, in addition to fever, there may be systemic symptoms such as fatigue, discomfort, chills, sore limbs, headache, and loss of appetite.

The common cold usually recovers after 5-7 days, and the course of the disease may be prolonged for the elderly, children and those with underlying diseases.

  The full name of influenza is influenza, which is caused by influenza virus. Compared with the common cold, it is more contagious and spreads faster. The incubation period is generally 1-4 days, with an average of 2 days.

And the symptoms are more serious than the common cold, often accompanied by high fever, body temperature is often higher than 38 ℃, and systemic symptoms such as sore throat, cough and muscle pain are severe.

In severe cases, pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation, cardiovascular and nervous system and other extrapulmonary manifestations and various complications may occur.

If there is no complication, it can usually recover on its own. More than 3-4 days after the onset, the fever will gradually subside, and the systemic symptoms will improve, but it usually takes 1-2 weeks to stop coughing and recover physical strength.

The epidemic season of influenza is generally in the winter and spring of each year, that is, from December to March of the next year.

  Influenza viruses that are seasonally prevalent in the population are mainly H1N1 and H3N2 subtypes in influenza A viruses and Victoria and Yamagata strains in influenza B viruses.

Compared with influenza B virus, influenza A virus has many hosts in nature and is more likely to mutate or reassort, causing it to spread rapidly among the population. Many large-scale outbreaks of influenza in history are related to influenza A virus .

  Influenza is a self-limiting illness

  For ordinary citizens, there is no need to worry too much about which type of influenza they have, because the treatment methods are similar, mainly symptomatic treatment, and anti-influenza drugs can be used according to the doctor's advice.

  If you suffer from influenza A, don’t panic. Influenza is a self-limiting disease. It is recommended to rest at home, drink plenty of water, and avoid going to places where people gather during the rest.

If the symptoms get worse, it is recommended to wear a mask and go to the nearest fever clinic to see a doctor, and take anti-influenza drugs according to the doctor's advice.

If there is a persistent high fever, accompanied by severe cough, dyspnea, mental changes, severe vomiting and diarrhea, etc., you should seek medical treatment in time.

  To prevent influenza, one is to wash your hands frequently and correctly, do a good job of hand hygiene, and keep the environment clean and ventilated; the other is to maintain good respiratory hygiene habits. When coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with the inside of your upper arm or with a tissue or towel. Wash your hands and try to avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth; third, try to reduce activities in crowded places during the flu epidemic season, and avoid contact with patients with respiratory infections; fourth, you should pay attention to rest and self-isolation when you have flu-like symptoms, and do not go to work or school while sick 1. Masks need to be worn when going to public places or seeking medical treatment; 5. Annual influenza vaccination is recommended, especially for key populations such as children and the elderly.